Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajravarahi Glided Copper Statue - Made in Nepal

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Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajravarahi Glided Copper Statue - Made in Nepal

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Name: Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajravarahi Glided Copper Statue - Made in Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZEM748
Price: 1430.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1341

$1788

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Vajravarahi or Vajrayogini (a female ascetic who follows the path of Vajra or pure wisdom) or Vajradakini (she who journeys in the cosmic nothingness) are names of the powerful Buddhist female deity, revered as the purest form of Enlightened Wisdom or Buddhahood in the feminine aspect. The depictions of Vajravarahi in the art are wrathful and awe-inspiring, to highlight her ethereal virtues which are beyond the definitions of the human world. Drawing from the textual descriptions of Vajravarahi, this masterpiece copper statue from Nepal evokes the presence of the potent goddess. She is surrounded by an aureole of flames that symbolize the fiery powers of wisdom, Vajravarahi dances- an expression of boundlessness.

She wears an ornate crown, green necklaces, a garment of animal skin, and a garland of severed heads, and holds a Kartarika (blade) in her right hand and Khatvanga with three heads (belonging to a newly dead human, decaying body and skull), symbolizing the impermanent nature of human life. She also carries a skull cup, similar to the Hindu goddess Kali with whom Vajravarahi is often associated. The face of Vajravarahi is animated by her active eyes, gaping mouth, and flaming brows, all symbolizing an omnipresent and eternally active Shakti or energy of the goddess, which enables the practitioner to walk the path to supreme wisdom.

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Specifications

	ZEM748
	Copper Sculpture gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 14.6 inch
	Width: 5 inch
	Depth: 11.5 inch
	Weight 3.87 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.

Embodying Fierce Compassion: A Vision of Vajravarahi

This exquisite statue depicts Vajravarahi, a principal deity in Tantric Buddhism, revered as the "Diamond Sow." Crafted in Nepal by master artisans, this representation is a powerful embodiment of wisdom, compassion, and the transformative energy that overcomes all obstacles. The intricate details and vibrant colors speak to the deep spiritual traditions from which it originates, making it a significant piece for meditation, devotion, or as a striking display of Buddhist art. Vajravarahi, in her various forms, is a dakini, a celestial being who guides practitioners towards enlightenment. Her iconography is rich with symbolism. Her wrathful aspect signifies the fierce protection she offers against ignorance, delusion, and negative forces. The sow's head, from which she derives her name, symbolizes her ability to root out defilements and uncover hidden truths, much like a sow unearths truffles. She is often depicted dancing triumphantly upon a prone figure, representing the subjugation of ego and worldly attachments. In this particular rendition, the golden glaze, achieved with 24 Karat gold, imbues the deity with an aura of divine radiance and auspiciousness, reflecting the enlightened nature that is the ultimate goal of spiritual practice.

A Masterpiece of Nepalese Craftsmanship

This statue is a testament to the enduring legacy of Nepalese artistry in religious sculpture. The meticulous attention to detail, from the swirling flames that encircle the deity to the myriad of symbolic accoutrements, showcases the skill and devotion of the creators. The vibrant pigments are carefully applied, bringing the dynamic form of Vajravarahi to life. The copper base provides a solid foundation, while the opulent gilding elevates the piece, suggesting the preciousness of the spiritual insights it represents. Each element, from the fierce expression to the precise articulation of limbs, is rendered with a profound understanding of the iconography and the spiritual significance attributed to Vajravarahi. The presence of miniature faces adorning her form further emphasizes her all-encompassing nature and her ability to perceive and overcome countless obstacles.

Guardians of the Dharma

Vajravarahi is a key figure in the Chöd practice, a tantric ritual that involves offering one's own body as a means of overcoming attachment to the self and developing profound generosity. She is also closely associated with the Six Yogas of Naropa, a set of advanced tantric practices aimed at achieving spiritual realization. Her powerful presence in this statue serves as a constant reminder of the potential for awakening that lies within each individual. To gaze upon this representation is to invite the protective and transformative energy of Vajravarahi into one's life, encouraging the practitioner to confront inner demons and to cultivate unwavering compassion for all beings. The statue, with its dynamic pose and fiery aura, conveys a sense of movement and immense power, symbolizing the unstoppable force of awakened wisdom.

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.