Tibetan Buddhist Ekajati (Made in Nepal)

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Name: Tibetan Buddhist Ekajati (Made in Nepal)
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZEM851
Price: 990.00 USD
Availability: InStock

₩1,202,143

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	ZEM851
	Copper Sculpture gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 10 inch
	Width: 3.5 inch
	Depth: 6.7 inch
	Weight 1.60 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 Protector: An Ekajati Representation

This commanding statue depicts Ekajati, a formidable wrathful deity from the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon. Crafted in Nepal, this sculpture is fashioned from copper and meticulously gilded with 24 Karat gold, imbuing it with an aura of divine radiance and enduring strength. Ekajati, meaning "Single Braid" or "One Braid," is a protector deity known for her singular focus and unwavering dedication to safeguarding the Dharma and its practitioners. Her fierce appearance is not one of malice, but rather a manifestation of her power to overcome obstacles and destroy ignorance.

Symbolism and Iconography

The imagery of Ekajati is rich with symbolic meaning. Her one braid, often depicted streaming behind her, signifies her undivided attention and her swift, decisive action. Her multiple faces, usually three, represent the three jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, or alternatively, the past, present, and future. Her third eye, situated on her forehead, symbolizes her omniscient awareness, capable of seeing through illusion and deception. In this powerful depiction, she is shown standing triumphantly over a vanquished figure, representing the subjugation of negative forces, ego, or obstacles on the spiritual path. The vibrant, fiery halo that surrounds her signifies her transformative power and her ability to burn away impurities and attachments. The objects she holds, such as the skull-topped staff and the skull cup, are traditional emblems of her wrathful aspect, used to symbolize the destruction of the ego and the transmutation of negative energies.

Cultural Significance and Practice

Ekajati holds a significant place in Tibetan Buddhism, particularly within the Nyingma school. She is considered a protector of hidden treasures, including sacred texts and teachings, and is invoked to remove impediments to spiritual practice and to grant boons of protection and wisdom. Tales of her intervention often describe her as a fierce guardian, capable of manifesting immense power to defend the Dharma. Her presence in a home or monastery is believed to ward off evil spirits, protect against worldly troubles, and inspire practitioners to maintain their spiritual resolve in the face of adversity. This sculpture serves as a potent reminder of the need for vigilance in one's spiritual journey and the formidable power that lies within Buddhist philosophy to overcome challenges.

Artistry and Craftsmanship

This exquisite statue is a testament to the skill and devotion of Nepalese artisans. The intricate detailing of the copper sculpture, from the expressive visage of Ekajati to the dynamic flames of her halo and the subtle textures of her garments, showcases a deep understanding of Buddhist iconography and artistic tradition. The application of 24 Karat gold gilding enhances the divine essence of the deity, making the sculpture a visually stunning and spiritually uplifting object. The vibrant colors used in the painting further accentuate the fierce yet benevolent nature of Ekajati, creating a piece that is both a work of art and a sacred implement for meditation and devotion. Its substantial size and intricate design make it a focal point for any spiritual space, inviting contemplation and reverence.

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.