The vahana of Vishnu steeped in legend, mythology and modern symbolism as a bird creature that has a mix of eagle and human beings. Garuda is an enemy of all snakes and represents birth and heaven. In Indian art form, Garuda is depicted in human form; shown here as standing on a realistic multi-levelled rock with the white colored marvellously styled and carved feathers stretched up to a mile wide.
This cosmic immortal bird-god or the king of birds is favoured by both Hindus and Buddhists; having torso and arms of a strong man in a dark golden brown shade and a traditional Nepali Buddhist crown in white and ted combination. He defeated snakes in a battle and wears one as jewelry and the other he carries in his vicious looking beak and holds the ends by hands.
The fierce expression of his eyes and his glorious sight portrays him as a symbol of virtue, hope and rebirth with the additional quality of being a brilliant warrior and a military prowess. This sculpture is carved in awe-struck briefings and vigilant gestures.
The Divine Eagle: A Symbol of Power and Protection
This striking copper statue from Nepal captures the majestic Garuda in a moment of supreme power. Garuda, the celestial mount of Lord Vishnu, is a figure of immense significance in Hindu mythology. Known as the king of birds, he is often depicted with a bird-like human body, powerful wings, and a keen gaze. In this artistic rendition, Garuda is portrayed with his wings fully stretched, symbolizing his boundless might and his ability to traverse the cosmos. His stance is firm, grounded on a rocky outcrop, an emblem of his unwavering strength and his role as a protector against evil.Mythological Significance and Iconography
The iconography of Garuda is rich with symbolism. His association with snakes is particularly noteworthy. According to legend, Garuda's mother, Vinata, was enslaved by her sister Kadru, the mother of serpents. To free his mother, Garuda embarked on a perilous journey, overcoming numerous obstacles and ultimately defeating the serpents to obtain the nectar of immortality. This epic tale positions Garuda as a valiant hero and a slayer of the Nagas (serpents). In this sculpture, the snake held firmly in Garuda's beak further emphasizes his dominion over these creatures, representing his triumph over negativity, fear, and the forces that obstruct spiritual progress. His fierce expression and the prominent crown adorned with red feathers signify his regal status and his divine purpose. The detailed rendering of his wings, with each feather meticulously crafted, speaks to the exquisite artistry and the spiritual devotion invested in its creation.Artistic Craftsmanship and Cultural Heritage
Crafted from high-quality copper, this statue is a testament to the traditional metalworking skills of Nepal. The artisans have masterfully brought this divine figure to life, imbuing it with a sense of dynamism and awe-inspiring presence. The interplay of different metallic finishes adds depth and visual appeal, highlighting the intricate details of Garuda's form. Such sculptures are not merely decorative objects; they are sacred artifacts that carry profound cultural and spiritual meaning. They are often used in homes and temples for worship, meditation, or as a source of inspiration and protection. Owning this Garuda statue is like possessing a piece of ancient wisdom and artistic heritage, a reminder of the eternal struggle between good and evil and the divine power that presides over all. Its presence is said to ward off negative energies and bestow blessings of courage, strength, and spiritual liberation upon its admirers.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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