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Gilded Copper Nepalese Statue of Rahula

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Name: Gilded Copper Nepalese Statue of Rahula
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIU369
Price: 4015.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$3764.25

$5019

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

In the Nyingma school of Himalayan Buddhism, Rahula is a wrathful protective deity, with nine ferocious faces stacked one upon the other and a giant gaping face on his torso. This gilded copper Nepalese statue of Rahula brings the majestic guardian deity on a jeweled platform, lined with skulls. A fiery aureole surrounds his dynamically positioned body, a raven on the skull crown adorns his head, and ornaments of severed heads enhance the ethereal appearance of his icon. Armed with multiple weapons, Rahula in this statue soothes and astounds the onlooker with his powers.

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Specifications

	MIU369
	COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
	Height: 18 inch
	Width: 13.5 inch
	Depth: 9 inch
	Weight 8.70 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 6 days
	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Majestic Visage of Rahula: A Golden Guardian

This exquisite copper statue, meticulously gilded with radiant gold, presents a powerful and captivating depiction of Rahula, a formidable deity revered in Tibetan Buddhism and various folk traditions. Rahula, often depicted as a wrathful protector, is recognized for his fierce nature and his role in averting misfortune, overcoming obstacles, and safeguarding practitioners from negative influences. The artistry of this Nepalese creation captures the very essence of this powerful protector, making it a striking centerpiece for any spiritual or art collection. The dynamic composition features Rahula with multiple heads, each bearing a fierce expression, symbolizing his all-encompassing awareness and his ability to confront challenges from every direction. These faces are adorned with striking red accents and bright turquoise embellishments, drawing the eye and emphasizing the deity's formidable power. His numerous arms are expertly rendered, with some holding traditional implements of power and protection, such as a bow and arrow, poised as if ready to strike down any malevolent forces. The elaborate detailing extends to the intricate jewelry and the finely crafted musculature, showcasing the skill of the artisan.

Symbolism and Divine Aura

Enveloping Rahula is a spectacular aureole of flames, rendered in the same lustrous gilded copper. These flames are not merely decorative; they symbolize the purification and transformation associated with spiritual awakening. The fiery aura signifies the dispelling of ignorance and the destruction of negative karma, highlighting Rahula's role as a divine cleanser. The base upon which Rahula stands is equally detailed, featuring ornate decorative patterns and what appear to be miniature heads, further reinforcing the deity's overwhelming power and authority. In Nepalese lore and Buddhist cosmology, Rahula is sometimes associated with the planet Saturn, a celestial body often linked with challenges, discipline, and the karma of past actions. However, his manifestations are predominantly protective, seen as a guardian against astrological afflictions, black magic, and worldly disturbances. Tales speak of Rahula's formidable strength and his role in protecting the Dharma, a belief that resonates deeply within the vibrant spiritual landscape of Nepal. The creation of such detailed and potent imagery is a testament to the enduring cultural and religious heritage of the region, where each element in a statue carries profound meaning and spiritual significance. This gilded copper statue of Rahula is more than just a work of art; it is a conduit to spiritual energy and a symbol of divine protection. Its commanding presence and intricate craftsmanship make it a truly remarkable piece that embodies both artistic mastery and deep spiritual devotion, bringing a powerful and protective aura to any space it graces.

How are Nepalese copper statues made?

Nepalese statues and sculptures are best known for their unique small religious figures and ritual paraphernalia for over two thousand years. These are mainly cast in copper alloy. Nepal draws influences from the artistic styles of Buddhism and Hinduism, and therefore the sculptors of the country specialize in making the icons of both these religions. Over the years, Nepalese sculptures evolved into their own distinctive iconography. Some characteristic features of these sculptures that differ from other pieces are exaggerated physical postures, youthful and sensual features, languid eyes, wider faces having serene expressions, and ornate flourishes. The Buddhist deity icons of Nepal have tremendous demand in countries such as China and Tibet for ritual purposes in their temples and monasteries.

Nepalese statues and sculptures have a high copper content and therefore develop a slightly reddish patina on the surface as they age. However, the most unique feature of Nepalese copper statues is their decorative detailing. The pieces are heavily gilded and sometimes inlaid with semi-precious stones. This embellishment protects them from getting tarnished. The traditional lost-wax method for casting Nepalese copper statues remains the most practiced technique in Nepal for many centuries. This process involves many steps and requires skilled artists.

The first step in lost-wax sculpting is to make a wax replica of the desired Buddhist deity to be cast in copper. This replica is created by hand and therefore needs excellent artistic skills otherwise fine features will be lacking.

Once the wax replica is made, it is then coated with a special mixture of clay with a brush. This layer of clay is hardened when left to dry. A small hole is made on the base of the wax mould so that the wax flows away when it is heated.

At this stage, a hollow mould in the shape of the deity is obtained.

This is the time to pour liquid copper into the hollow mould which is then allowed to cool and harden inside a container of cold water. When the liquid metal has hardened, the mould is removed and the statue within is revealed.

The artist works on the details of the statue using various tools. It is then polished to get a shiny and lustrous surface.

Now comes the most important part of Nepalese art which is gold gilding. This is done by the traditional fire gilding method. A mixture of mercury and 18K gold is applied on the surface of the statue and heat is applied using a flame torch. The result is that mercury evaporates along with impurities, leaving a pure 24K gold finish.

The lost-wax method of sculpting is the most preferred technique

for artists to cast a metallic statue having intricate details. Since Nepalese copper sculptures require extraneous effort for giving a majestic look by adding special embellishments, it takes several weeks to complete one masterpiece. A 24K gold gilded copper sculpture retains its brilliant luster for many years and appears as like before. Nepalese sculptures continue to remain one of the finest specimens of the art of the East that have a strong aesthetic appeal that other sculptures cannot match.