Tibetan Buddhist Deity Daka Incense Burner with Open Mouth

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Name: Tibetan Buddhist Deity Daka Incense Burner with Open Mouth
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZEM160
Price: 550.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$688

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ZEM160
	Copper Statue
	Height: 6.7 inch
	Width: 5 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 1.30 kg

Delivery and Return Policies


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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

A Harmonious Vessel for Sacred Aromas

This exquisite copper sculpture is not merely an incense burner; it is a conduit for spiritual energy and a testament to the rich artistic heritage of Tibetan Buddhism. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the piece depicts a powerful deity seated regally upon an ornate base. The central figure, with its dynamic posture and expressive features, embodies the fierce compassion and protective aspects often associated with wrathful deities in Buddhist iconography. The open mouth of the deity is a striking feature, symbolizing the power to overcome obstacles and to roar forth blessings and teachings. This imagery draws parallels to the roaring of lions, which in many cultures, including Tibetan, represent strength, courage, and the dispelling of ignorance. In Buddhist lore, the lion is often depicted as the king of beasts and a symbol of the Buddha's teachings, which roar forth to awaken beings from their slumber of delusion. The intricate headdress and the adornments, such as the prayer beads and the circular motif on the chest, further enhance the divine aura of the figure, hinting at its esoteric significance.

Guardians of Purity and Prosperity

The substantial base upon which the deity rests is a work of art in itself. It is supported by four powerful legs, each fashioned as the head of a mythical creature. These guardians, often referred to as 'sinha' or celestial lions in a broader Asian context, or more specifically as snow lions in Tibetan tradition, are potent symbols of protection, vigilance, and the triumph of the Dharma. Their fierce yet noble visages serve to ward off negative influences and to safeguard the sacred space where incense is burned. The craftsmanship evident in the sculpted manes and sharp features of these guardians speaks to the skill of the artisan. The lower section of the base is further adorned with symbolic motifs, including the Dharma wheel, a universal symbol of the Buddha's teachings and the path to enlightenment. The presence of these auspicious symbols imbues the entire piece with a sense of sacredness and purpose. Incense burning, in Buddhist traditions, is a practice of purification, offering, and meditation, designed to create an atmosphere conducive to spiritual practice and to generate merit. This burner, with its formidable guardians and divine central figure, is perfectly suited to facilitate such sacred rituals.

A Sacred Offering

The use of copper as the material further enhances the spiritual significance of this artifact. Copper has long been revered in various spiritual traditions for its conductive properties and its association with purification and healing. The patina that develops on copper over time adds to its character and depth, suggesting a lineage and a history of devotion. This burner, with its robust construction and symbolic richness, is an ideal addition to any altar, meditation room, or space dedicated to fostering peace and spiritual well-being. Its compact size makes it versatile, allowing it to be placed in various settings while still commanding a powerful presence.

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.