Palden Lhamo

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Name: Palden Lhamo
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZAY50
Price: 360.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$414

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	ZAY50
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 6.5 inch
	Width: 5 inch
	Depth: 3 inch
	Weight 1 kg

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.

The Fierce Protector: A Gilded Representation of Palden Lhamo

This exquisite statue captures the powerful presence of Palden Lhamo, the only female protector deity in the Tibetan pantheon. Revered as the wrathful aspect of the goddess Saraswati, she is a fierce guardian of the Dharma, symbolizing the ultimate triumph over obstacles and negativity. Her formidable form, meticulously rendered in copper and exquisitely gilded with 24 karat gold, radiates divine energy and potent protection. The artistry of this piece is evident in every detail. Palden Lhamo is depicted in her iconic form, astride a mule, a creature often associated with wisdom and intuition. Her facial expression is fierce and commanding, with wide, bulging eyes, bared fangs, and a flaming red aura of wisdom that emanates from her head. This ferocity is not one of malice, but of unwavering determination to vanquish ignorance and delusion. She carries a divine sword, symbolizing her ability to cut through illusions and negativities, and is adorned with symbols of power and enlightenment, including a crown of skulls, representing her transcendence of the ego and the cycle of rebirth. ––––––––––––––––––

Mythological Significance and Cultural Context

Palden Lhamo's origins are deeply intertwined with Buddhist mythology. She is often identified with the Indian goddess Kali and is said to have been a devoted follower of the Buddha, vowing to protect his teachings. Tales abound of her ferocity in defending the Dharma from demons and defilement. She is particularly revered as the protector of Tibet and the Dalai Lamas, offering spiritual guidance and shielding practitioners from harm. Her iconography is rich with symbolism, each element conveying a profound spiritual meaning. The mule, for instance, is said to have a dark, patchy coat, representing the suffering of sentient beings, yet it carries Palden Lhamo with steady resolve, embodying her compassionate strength. The sun disc in her navel is a symbol of wisdom, and the blood emanating from her mouth represents her fierce compassion, a force that nourishes and purifies. ––––––––––––––––––

A Symbol of Protection and Spiritual Strength

This statue serves as a powerful reminder of the constant presence of protective energies in our lives. It is an ideal piece for any altar, meditation space, or personal sanctuary, intended to invoke courage, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of spiritual truths. The gleaming 24 karat gold gilding not only enhances the visual splendor of the deity but also imbues the statue with a sacred aura, signifying purity and divine illumination. Its compact size makes it suitable for any space, offering a tangible connection to the profound power and protective grace of Palden Lhamo. Owning this representation is akin to inviting a powerful ally into your life, one who will stand as a bulwark against adversity and inspire you on your spiritual journey.

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.