Naga-Bhusan Garuda on Top Of Mountain

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Name: Naga-Bhusan Garuda on Top Of Mountain
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZEM782
Price: 580.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$667

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Specifications

	ZEM782
	Copper Sculpture gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 7.8 inch
	Width: 3 inch
	Depth: 8.2 inch
	Weight 1.20 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.

The Celestial Guardian: Garuda, Lord of Birds

This exquisite copper sculpture, meticulously gilded with 24 Karat gold, captures the awe-inspiring presence of Garuda, the divine eagle-like creature revered in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions. Perched atop a stylized mountain, this deity embodies power, speed, and protection, serving as the sworn enemy of serpents and a cosmic force against darkness.

Mythological Significance and Cultural Resonance

Garuda holds a paramount position in ancient Indian cosmology. As the mount (vahana) of Lord Vishnu, he is an indispensable figure in the Puranic narratives. Tales abound of his epic battles against the Naga (serpent deities), whom he is said to have freed from their enslavement. His victory over these subterranean beings symbolizes the triumph of divine justice and cosmic order over chaos and illusion. In Buddhist traditions, Garuda is often depicted as a guardian of sacred texts and a protector against negative influences. This sculpture's dynamic pose and fierce expression reflect his formidable nature, while the golden gleam speaks to his divine status and the auspiciousness he represents. The mountain setting further amplifies his dominion, suggesting his sovereignty over the terrestrial and celestial realms.

Artistic Craftsmanship and Symbolism

Crafted from durable copper, this sculpture is a testament to the skill of the artisans. The intricate details of Garuda's feathered wings, his powerful talons gripping the rocky terrain, and his expressive, golden face are brought to life through careful sculpting. The application of 24 Karat gold elevates the piece, imbuing it with a radiant glow that symbolizes enlightenment, prosperity, and spiritual purity. The vibrant blue and fiery red hues adorning his body and the base add to his imposing yet majestic aura. The serpentine element he grasps in his hand is a direct nod to his eternal struggle against the forces of ignorance and negativity, a theme that resonates across cultures and time.

A Symbol of Strength and Protection

More than just a beautiful artifact, this Garuda sculpture serves as a potent symbol of strength, courage, and unwavering protection. It is an ideal addition to any space where one wishes to invoke these qualities. Whether placed in a home, office, or meditation room, it acts as a constant reminder of the vigilance required to overcome obstacles and the divine power that assists in this endeavor. The legend of Garuda's swiftness and keen eyesight also makes him a symbol of clarity of vision and the ability to perceive truth, making this sculpture a source of inspiration and a focal point for spiritual contemplation. His presence is believed to ward off evil spirits and negative energies, bringing peace and security to his devotees.

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.