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Tibetan Buddhist Incense Burner From Nepal with auspicious Symbols

$81.75
$109
25% off
Includes any tariffs and taxes
Specifications
ZEH74
Copper and Brass Statue
Height: 3.7 inch
Width: 8.2 inch
Depth: 2.8 inch
Weight 350 gm
Delivery and Return Policies
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

An Emblem of Sacred Aromas and Auspicious Blessings

This exquisite incense burner, originating from the heart of Nepal, is more than just a vessel for fragrant smoke; it is a tangible piece of Tibetan Buddhist artistry, imbued with spiritual significance and ancient symbolism. Crafted from a harmonious blend of copper and brass, its intricate details speak to a tradition of devotion and meticulous craftsmanship. The fusion of these metals, often associated with purity and energetic conductivity in spiritual practices, creates a piece that is both visually striking and deeply meaningful.

The Guardians of Serenity

The upper tier of this burner is adorned with two serene figures resembling rams or goats. In Tibetan Buddhism, the ram symbolizes courage, steadfastness, and the overcoming of obstacles, a virtue essential on the spiritual path. They are often seen as mounts for deities or as symbols of prosperity and abundance. Their placement facing outward suggests a watchful presence, guarding the sacred space where incense is burned to purify the environment and invite auspicious energies. The central, stacked element, reminiscent of a stupa or a lotus bud, further reinforces its connection to Buddhist cosmology and enlightenment.

A Tapestry of Sacred Motifs

The body of the incense burner is a vibrant mosaic of turquoise and other precious stones, punctuated by ornate golden motifs. Turquoise, revered in many cultures for its protective qualities and connection to the heavens, is a cornerstone of Tibetan adornment, believed to ward off negative influences and promote well-being. The intricate golden symbols embedded within this mosaic are not mere decoration. They likely represent auspicious symbols such as the endless knot, symbolizing the interconnectedness of all things and the eternal nature of the Buddha's teachings, or stylized floral patterns, representing purity and spiritual awakening. These elements combine to create a rich visual narrative, inviting contemplation and reverence.

The Dance of Smoke and Spirit

As incense is lit within this burner, its fragrant tendrils will rise and diffuse through the finely wrought latticework, a testament to the artisan's skill. This act of burning incense is central to Tibetan Buddhist rituals, serving multiple purposes. It is believed to purify the air, cleanse the mind, and create an atmosphere conducive to meditation and prayer. The smoke itself is often seen as a carrier of prayers and offerings to the deities, a tangible manifestation of devotion ascending towards the divine. This burner, with its rich symbolism and artisanal beauty, transforms the simple act of burning incense into a profound spiritual practice, bringing a touch of the sacred into your home. Its dimensions make it a perfect accent piece for any altar, meditation space, or as a unique decorative element that whispers tales of ancient wisdom and profound peace.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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