Standing Tara

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Name: Standing Tara
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: XN35
Price: 315.00 USD
Availability: InStock

€334

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	XN35
	Copper Sculpture
	Height: 9.7 inch
	Width: 4.4 inch
	Depth: 3.6 inch
	Weight 1.37 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 Embodiment of Compassion

Behold this exquisite copper sculpture, a representation of Tara, the compassionate Bodhisattva revered in Tibetan Buddhism. Tara, whose name translates to "star," embodies the active compassion and protective nature of all Buddhas. She is swift in answering prayers and removing obstacles, a beacon of hope in the turbulent sea of samsara. This statue captures the essence of her unwavering dedication to the well-being of all beings. Her presence exudes serenity, promising solace and guiding light to those who seek refuge.

The Lotus-Born Goddess

Tara's origins are steeped in myth and legend. According to one tale, Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, wept as he witnessed the suffering of the world. From his tears sprang a lotus flower, and from that lotus emerged Tara. This story highlights her intrinsic connection to compassion and her role as an emanation of Avalokiteśvara's boundless empathy. In another account, she is described as a princess who, after meditating for countless eons, vowed to remain a female Bodhisattva until all beings were liberated from suffering. Her unwavering resolve showcases her extraordinary commitment to the path of enlightenment and her selfless devotion to the welfare of others.

A Symbol of Refuge and Protection

Adorned with intricate details and a rich, lustrous finish, this sculpture serves as a powerful reminder of Tara's compassionate nature. Her posture is one of graceful readiness to act and her expression conveys a sense of profound peace and wisdom. Holding a lotus stem, she symbolizes purity, spiritual awakening, and the potential for all beings to blossom into enlightenment. The lotus emerges from the muddy waters of samsara, yet remains untainted, representing the ability to transcend suffering while still existing within the world. Place this statue in your home or meditation space to invoke her blessings and connect with the qualities of compassion, wisdom, and skillful action. May her presence inspire you on your journey towards enlightenment and bring peace to all.

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.