Tibetan Buddhist Deity Palden Lhamo: The Protectress of the Dalai Lamas - Made in Nepal

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Tibetan Buddhist Deity Palden Lhamo: The Protectress of the Dalai Lamas - Made in Nepal

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Palden Lhamo is the only female of the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon of dharmapalas. Very much a Bodhisattva, She employs her ferocity and wrath to fulfill Her role as protectoress of lamas and Buddhists. Add this unusual, pure gold-gilded copper sculpture to your space to bring about a divine reassurance of safety and well-being.

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Specifications

	ZDF28
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 11.6 inch
	Width: 8.5 inch
	Depth: 4.6 inch
	Weight 4.48 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 Protectress: An Icon of Tibetan Buddhism

Behold the powerful and awe-inspiring presence of Palden Lhamo, the principal protectress of Tibet and especially revered as the guardian deity of the Dalai Lamas. This magnificent statue captures the essence of her fierce determination and compassionate vigilance. Crafted in Nepal, a land steeped in centuries of Buddhist artistic tradition, this piece is more than just a decorative object; it is a representation of profound spiritual significance and dedication. The statue depicts Palden Lhamo in her wrathful manifestation, a visualization intended not to inspire fear, but to demonstrate her unwavering commitment to defending the Dharma. She serves as a reminder of the strength required to overcome obstacles on the path to enlightenment.

A Glimpse into Her Iconography

Mounted atop her powerful mule, Palden Lhamo traverses the tumultuous sea of samsara, a symbol of her relentless pursuit of enlightenment and her ability to navigate the difficulties of existence. The third eye on her forehead signifies her all-seeing wisdom and awareness, piercing through illusion and ignorance. Her ornaments, often made of bone or skulls, are not macabre, but represent the impermanence of life and the triumph over death. The sun and moon symbols adorning her crown signify her control over time and the cosmic forces, as well as her ability to illuminate the path to enlightenment for others. The sea of blood she crosses symbolizes the ego and negative emotions which must be transcended. The statue portrays her with a fierce expression that wards off negativity and protects against harm. Her hands hold symbolic objects that enhance her protective powers. Surrounding her is a halo of flames, representing her fiery energy and the transformative power of her wisdom. The depiction of the mountainous terrain at the base anchors her presence to the sacred landscape of Tibet, further solidifying her role as a guardian of the land and its spiritual traditions. Each element of her iconography is carefully rendered, conveying the depth of her role within the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon.

Crafted with Devotion

This statue has been meticulously crafted by skilled artisans in Nepal, using traditional techniques passed down through generations. The use of copper, a metal associated with purity and strength, underscores the sacredness of the image. The application of 24 Karat gold gilding further elevates the statue, giving it a radiant and majestic presence that will command attention in any space. This piece embodies the rich artistic heritage of the region and the dedication of the artisans who have poured their skill and devotion into its creation. The statue's creation involved a process of both physical craft and spiritual intention, resulting in a powerful and inspiring representation of Palden Lhamo.

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.