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Gilded Copper Nepalese Statue of Vajrasattva from Nepal | Buddhist Deity Idol

$3581.25
$4775
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This gilded copper Nepalese statue of Vajrasattva presents the crown prince of dhamma attired brilliantly, gently bringing the Vajra- a symbol of wisdom and male element close to his heart, while placing the bell (a motif of compassion and feminine qualities) on his lap, parallel to the Vajra. A balance of these virtues is the way to supreme awakening, an idea that is underlined by this Vajrasattva icon. With gentleness on his face and delicateness in his attire, this statue of Vajrasattva emerges as the glorious fruit of enlightenment. 

Specifications
MIT023
Copper with Gold Plated
Height: 18 inch
Width: 14 inch
Depth: 9 inch
Weight 8.50 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 6 days
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Embodiment of Purity and Enlightenment

Gaze upon this magnificent gilded copper statue, a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship and profound spiritual heritage of Nepal. This piece depicts Vajrasattva, a central figure in Vajrayana Buddhism, revered as the embodiment of purity, the lord of all mandalas, and the source of all tantric practices. In Tibetan Buddhism, Vajrasattva is considered the fifth Dhyani Buddha, a primordial Buddha representing the essence of Vajra, or diamond, symbolizing indestructibility and purity. He is often invoked in purification rituals, believed to cleanse negative karma and obstacles to spiritual progress. Legend tells that Vajrasattva attained enlightenment through intense meditation and devoted practice over countless eons, vowing to help all beings achieve enlightenment by purifying their minds and obscurations.

A Masterpiece of Nepalese Artistry

Crafted from robust copper and finished with a lustrous gold plating, this statue radiates an aura of divine serenity and enduring presence. The artist has meticulously detailed every aspect of Vajrasattva's form, from the serene, compassionate expression on his face to the intricate adornments that grace his body. He is depicted seated in the lotus position (padmasana) upon a multi-tiered lotus throne, a symbol of spiritual purity and enlightenment rising above the mundane world. His regal crown, adorned with precious jewels and intricate metalwork, signifies his celestial status. The delicate ornamentation on his robes, necklaces, and bracelets speaks to the opulence and devotion invested in his creation. The graceful fluidity of his posture, with one hand resting on his lap and the other in a gesture of teaching or bestowing blessings, invites contemplation and connection. The subtle blue accents on his shoulders hint at the celestial blue of his pure mind.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Vajrasattva is often depicted holding a vajra (a ritual scepter symbolizing indestructibility and wisdom) in his right hand and a ghanta (a bell symbolizing the wisdom that understands emptiness) in his left. Though not explicitly present in this particular iconography, the essence of these symbols is conveyed through the overall aura of potent spiritual power and serene wisdom emanating from the statue. The vajra is often associated with thunderbolts, representing the swift and decisive cutting through of ignorance and delusion. The ghanta's sound is said to awaken sentient beings to the truth of the Dharma. The lotus throne itself is a potent symbol, representing the ability of the enlightened mind to remain pure and untainted by the muddy waters of samsara (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth).

A Sacred Icon for Devotion and Contemplation

This exquisite statue serves not only as a beautiful work of art but also as a powerful focal point for meditation, prayer, and spiritual reflection. Its substantial size and the inherent sacredness of its subject matter make it a commanding presence in any altar, meditation room, or sacred space. The enduring materials and the timeless message of purification and enlightenment embodied by Vajrasattva ensure that this piece will be cherished for generations to come, a constant reminder of the path to spiritual awakening and inner peace. Its gilded surface captures and reflects light, enhancing its divine radiance and drawing the viewer into a state of meditative calm.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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