Nepalese Altar with Fine Carving - Tibetan Buddhist

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Name: Nepalese Altar with Fine Carving - Tibetan Buddhist
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZCR75
Price: 660.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$759

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ZCR75
	Copper and Wood Statue
	Height: 7.1 inch
	Width: 5.5 inch
	Depth: 2.6 inch
	Weight 680 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.

A Sacred Haven for Devotion

This exquisite altar, a testament to the rich artistic heritage of Nepal, offers a sanctuary for your spiritual practice. Crafted from a harmonious blend of wood and copper, it embodies the reverence and meticulous craftsmanship characteristic of Tibetan Buddhist artistry. Its compact size makes it a perfect addition to any meditation space, home altar, or quiet corner dedicated to contemplation and mindfulness.

Symbolism and Divine Embellishments

The archway of this altar is adorned with intricate, gilded carvings that draw inspiration from ancient Buddhist iconography. At its apex, a formidable visage, reminiscent of the mythical Makara or a protective guardian deity, gazes outward, symbolizing the warding off of negativity and the auspicious protection of the sacred space. Flanking this central motif, stylized dragons, revered in East Asian cultures as powerful symbols of strength, wisdom, and good fortune, writhe amidst swirling clouds. These celestial creatures represent the boundless energy of the universe and the protective embrace of enlightened beings. The rich, deep red interior of the shrine evokes the sacredness often associated with Buddhist temples, symbolizing vitality, passion, and enlightenment itself. The pillars supporting the arch are painted in a striking red and gold, reminiscent of temple architecture, drawing the eye upwards towards the divine.

A Legacy of Craftsmanship

The base of the altar features a beautifully sculpted semicircular panel, also embellished with gilded motifs. This lower section often symbolizes the grounding and stability of the earthly realm from which spiritual aspirations ascend. The detailed patterns and the harmonious interplay of colors – deep blues, reds, and accents of green and gold – speak to the skilled hands that brought this piece to life. Each element, from the smallest swirling cloud to the grandest guardian face, is rendered with precision, reflecting generations of passed-down artistic techniques. This altar is not merely an object; it is a vessel imbued with intention and artistry, designed to enhance the spiritual experience of its owner.

Invoking Presence and Peace

The purpose of an altar is to create a focal point for devotion, a space where one can feel a connection to the divine, to one's inner self, or to the teachings of the Buddha. This altar provides that sacred enclosure, inviting you to place your chosen deity, a cherished relic, or meaningful offerings within its embrace. The presence of such an object can serve as a constant reminder of your spiritual path, a source of comfort during challenging times, and a catalyst for cultivating inner peace and wisdom. It is a piece that transcends mere decoration, offering a tangible connection to a profound spiritual tradition.

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.