A stately Bodhisattva, seated under an aureole of luxuriant vine. Her long gracious limbs bear the dharmachakra mudra (gesture of existence as a cycle); one foot rests on the belly of a miniscule lotus growing along the midline of the wider lotus pedestal She is seated on. This is the identifying aspect of Devi Green Tara, one of the finest Bodhisattvas of the Vajrayana pantheon. The murti of Her that you see on this page is sculpted from copper, a specialty of Nepal’s sculptural tradition.
Devi Green Tara is steeped in yogic contemplation or samadhi. In its profoundest recesses She teeters on the verge of Enlightenment, but She withdraws for the sake of Her mortal lovers and devotees. Her chhavi (image) conveys no less - a relaxed, wide-set brow; large, gently shut eyes; and a compassionate mouth. Framed by the traditional five-spired crown and kundalas that reach all the way down to the clavicles, it is a face of striking beauty and serenity.
The aureole that surrounds Her super-slender form is breathtakingly beautiful. A perfectly symmetrical silhouette, densely executed engravings a hallmark of considerable skill on the part of the artisan. It is symbolic of the lush verdure of certain reaches of the Himalayas, where legend has it that these deities reside. The deep brown monotone of the composition adds to the solemnity of its mood.
The Compassionate Embrace of Green Tara
This exquisite copper statue captures the serene and compassionate form of Green Tara, a revered Bodhisattva in Tibetan Buddhism. Seated in a posture of perfect ease and grace, she embodies wisdom, action, and protection. Her gentle smile and tranquil gaze are a testament to her boundless compassion for all sentient beings. The deity's verdant hue symbolizes her vibrant life force and her ability to swiftly overcome obstacles and bring enlightenment.
The statue is a masterpiece of Nepalese craftsmanship, meticulously rendered in rich copper. The artist's skill is evident in every detail, from the delicate ornamentation adorning her crown and jewelry to the subtle folds of her robes. The rich, dark patina of the copper lends a sense of age and spiritual depth to the piece, making it feel like an artifact passed down through generations.A Mandala of Divine Protection
Encircling Tara is a densely engraved aureole, a celestial halo that amplifies her divine presence. This intricately detailed backdrop is not merely decorative; it represents the cosmic order and the protective energy that emanates from Tara. The delicate scrollwork and floral motifs within the aureole evoke the lush imagery found in Tibetan mandalas, sacred diagrams that represent the universe and the enlightened mind. The complex patterns symbolize the interconnectedness of all things and the infinite nature of consciousness. The aureole's form, reminiscent of a lotus blossom unfurling, signifies purity and spiritual awakening.
In Buddhist lore, Tara emerged from a tear of compassion shed by the Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara. Seeing the suffering of the world, he wept, and from his tears, a lotus bloomed, opening to reveal the radiant Green Tara. She is known as the "Mother of Liberation" and is invoked for protection against fear, danger, and illness. Her twenty-one emanations, each with unique attributes, offer specific forms of aid, but the Green Tara, as depicted here, is the most frequently invoked for universal help and swift intervention in times of need. Her posture, with the right leg extended, signifies her readiness to descend and offer aid, while her left leg is folded in meditation, representing her profound wisdom.
This statue is more than just an object of beauty; it is a conduit for spiritual connection, a reminder of the ever-present force of compassion and protection in the world. It is a powerful piece for meditation, devotion, or simply as an inspiring addition to any sacred space, inviting peace, resilience, and spiritual growth.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.
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