Lord Vishnu Standing on Shesha on Lotus Throne

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Name: Lord Vishnu Standing on Shesha on Lotus Throne
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: RH99
Price: 470.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$541

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Specifications

	RH99
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 11.5 inch
	Width: 4.5 inch
	Depth: 3.5 inch
	Weight 1.89 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

A Vision of Preserver

Crafted with meticulous detail, this statue depicts a revered deity, an embodiment of preservation and righteousness. The exquisite workmanship in copper, further enhanced by the gleam of 24 Karat gold gilding, captures the divine essence of this powerful presence. This elegant sculpture would add a touch of peace and serenity to any sacred space.

The Cosmic Serpent and the Lotus Throne

In Hindu cosmology, Vishnu, one of the principal deities, is often depicted reclining on or associated with Shesha, the cosmic serpent, also known as Ananta. Shesha represents eternity and the cyclical nature of time. The lotus upon which Vishnu stands symbolizes purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening. From this lotus sprung forth Brahma, the creator, emphasizing the divine order and the continuous cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution. The serpent is also a protector figure. The serpent’s hood acts as a parasol for the deity, signifying divine sovereignty and protection from the chaos of the universe.

The Attributes of Divinity

The multiple arms of the deity each hold significant symbolic objects. The conch shell (Shankha), when blown, produces the sacred sound of "Om," believed to be the primordial sound of the universe. The discus (Chakra) symbolizes the power to vanquish evil and maintain cosmic order. The mace (Gada) represents strength and discipline, while the lotus (Padma) symbolizes purity and spiritual liberation. These attributes together represent Vishnu’s role as the upholder of dharma (righteousness) and the protector of the universe. Each is depicted here with exquisite detail.

Auspicious Presence

This piece is not merely a work of art; it is a tangible representation of profound spiritual concepts. Displaying this statue invites a sense of balance, harmony, and divine grace into your environment. The warm tones of copper and gold combine to create an aura of peace and tranquility.

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.