Tibetan devotees
turn to White Tara in earnest prayers, particularly seeking solace in health,
rejuvenation, and enduring life. With her benevolent presence, she tends to the
wounds that afflict our bodies and minds, offering a profound healing touch.
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Among the Tibetan
populace, the White Tara Long Life Initiation (Dolkar Tsewang) holds
significant popularity. White Tara's unique attribute lies in her seven eyes,
including one on her forehead and an eye on each hand and foot. These symbolic
eyes reflect her unwavering compassion, diligently witnessing the world's
suffering. Her left-hand takes the form of a protective mudra, while her right
hand adopts the wish-granting mudra. She cradles a stem of the Utpala lotus
flower in her left hand, adorned with three blossoms. These blossoms embody the
past, present, and future Buddhas, encapsulating a timeless continuum.
An Embodiment of Compassion and Enlightenment
This exquisite statue captures the serene and benevolent presence of White Tara, a revered goddess in Tibetan Buddhism. Crafted from high-quality copper and adorned with a shimmering gold finish, this piece is a testament to the skill and artistry of Nepalese artisans. White Tara is recognized as the feminine manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and is often depicted as a youthful, radiant goddess symbolizing purity, longevity, and the attainment of enlightenment. Her gentle countenance and graceful posture invite contemplation and inspire a sense of peace and well-being.
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Symbolism and Divine Attributes
In Buddhist iconography, White Tara is typically shown seated in the lotus posture, with her right hand extended in the gesture of *varada mudra* (bestowing boons or blessings) and her left hand in *vitarka mudra* (gesture of teaching or argument). Her eyes are often depicted half-closed, signifying her deep meditation and awareness, while her open left eye represents her vigilant watch over all sentient beings. She is often adorned with jewels and wears a crown, signifying her divine status. In some traditions, she is depicted with seven eyes, three on her forehead and one each on her palms and soles, symbolizing her ability to perceive all suffering in the universe. This particular statue embodies these sacred attributes, with meticulous attention paid to every detail, from the delicate carving of her ornaments to the serene expression on her face. The presence of turquoise and red accents adds to the vibrancy and sacredness of the iconography.
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A Legacy of Craftsmanship
Originating from Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual traditions and renowned for its master craftspeople, this statue carries the weight of centuries of artistic heritage. The techniques used in its creation have been passed down through generations, ensuring that each piece is not merely an object but a sacred artifact imbued with devotional intent. The use of copper provides a durable and resonant base, while the application of gold lends it a divine aura and a timeless beauty. The intricate detailing, visible in the delicate floral motifs on her garments and the finely sculpted crown, showcases the artisan's deep understanding of Buddhist symbolism and their dedication to their craft. This statue is more than just a decorative item; it is an invitation to connect with the spiritual essence of White Tara and to cultivate qualities of compassion, wisdom, and inner peace in your own life. It serves as a powerful focal point for meditation and a beautiful reminder of the divine feminine energy that nurtures and protects.
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.
