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MADE IN INDIA.

Incense Holder

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Name: Incense Holder
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZAY14
Price: 35.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$30

$40

25% off

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Specifications

	ZAY14
	Brass and Copper
	Height: 8.5 inch
	Width: 1.2 inch
	Depth: 1.2 inch
	Weight 100 gm

Delivery and Return Policies


	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.

An Emblem of Sacred Ritual and Artistic Heritage

This exquisite piece transcends mere utility, serving as a conduit for sacred aromas and a testament to artisanal mastery. Crafted from a rich blend of brass and copper, its cylindrical form evokes the ancient pillars that support temples and the very essence of a scroll, holding within it the secrets of tradition. The surface is adorned with intricate metalwork, each detail imbued with cultural significance. You'll notice motifs that speak of protection and auspiciousness, reminiscent of the protective symbols found in many ancient cultures, designed to ward off negativity and invite positive energies.

Echoes of Divine Visages and Sacred Scents

The prominently featured circular medallions on this holder are more than just ornamentation. They bear striking visages, possibly representing deities or protective spirits revered in various spiritual traditions. The stern yet serene faces suggest a connection to the divine, perhaps echoing the benevolent gaze of figures like Surya, the Hindu sun god, who embodies light, energy, and life-giving power, or the watchful eyes of guardian deities in Buddhist iconography. The placement of small, vibrant red and blue stones, like rubies or carnelian and turquoise, further enhances its spiritual resonance. Red, often associated with passion, vitality, and protection from evil, while blue symbolizes the heavens, wisdom, and serenity, collectively amplify the holder's sacred aura. The accompanying chain, a delicate yet strong link, suggests a sense of connection and continuity, mirroring the enduring power of spiritual practices.

A Vessel for Tranquility and Meditation

The primary function of this holder is to gracefully contain incense, transforming its scent into an aromatic prayer or a calming balm for the senses. Incense burning has been a practice spanning millennia, integral to rituals across diverse cultures. From the ancient Egyptians using frankincense and myrrh in their ceremonies, to the Japanese art of Koh-do, the "way of incense," where appreciation of its aroma is a meditative practice, the burning of fragrant materials has always been a way to purify space, enhance focus, and connect with the spiritual realm. This holder provides a beautiful and dignified way to engage in such practices, allowing the fragrant smoke to ascend, carrying intentions and prayers to the heavens, much like the smoke signals used by ancient peoples to communicate with the gods or carry messages across distances. Its design, with the subtle play of metals and the embedded precious stones, suggests it was intended for a refined and mindful user, someone who appreciates not only the scent but the aesthetic and spiritual journey it represents. Imagine the gentle curl of smoke rising from this piece, a visual representation of a whispered mantra or a moment of profound peace.

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.