Tibetan Buddhist Mahakala Wall Hanging Mask - Made in Nepal

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Name: Tibetan Buddhist Mahakala Wall Hanging Mask - Made in Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZEN213
Price: 115.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$132

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ZEN213
	Copper Statue From Nepal
	Height: 5.5 inch
	Width: 1.5 inch
	Depth: 5.3 inch
	Weight 350 gm

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 the Fierce Protector: A Mahakala Mask of Reverence

This striking mask, meticulously crafted in Nepal from rich copper, is a potent representation of Mahakala, a wrathful deity revered in Tibetan Buddhism. Mahakala, often translated as "Great Black One" or "Great Time," is a protector deity who embodies the ultimate reality beyond time and space. He is invoked to overcome obstacles, banish negativity, and safeguard practitioners on their spiritual journey. The intense expression, with its fierce gaze and bared teeth, is not meant to instill fear but to symbolize the overwhelming power of awakened consciousness that can consume ignorance and delusion. ––––––––––––––––––

Artistry from the Himalayas

Each detail of this mask speaks to the artisanal mastery honed in the Himalayan region. The artist has captured the dynamic energy of Mahakala through intricate sculpting. The flaming hair, a common attribute, signifies the purifying fire of wisdom that burns away all impurities. Small skulls adorning the headdress are symbolic of Mahakala's dominion over the cycle of birth and death, and his ability to transcend mortal limitations. The patterned flags flanking the mask represent the victory of the Dharma over negative forces. The craftsmanship, from the textured background that evokes flowing energy to the fine linework on the face and ornaments, reflects a deep understanding of the iconography and spiritual significance of the deity. ––––––––––––––––––

A Symbol of Auspicious Protection

In Tibetan Buddhist traditions, Mahakala is one of the most important Dharmapalas, or "Dharma Protectors." He is often depicted in fierce forms to overcome powerful negative forces that could hinder the practice of Dharma. Tales abound of his interventions, safeguarding the teachings and those who follow them. His appearance can be intimidating, but his ultimate purpose is benevolent – to clear the path for enlightenment. This mask serves as a powerful visual reminder of these protective qualities. It can be a focal point for meditation, a source of inspiration, or a sacred object to be displayed with reverence, bringing a sense of spiritual fortitude and auspicious energy to any space. The copper medium itself holds significance, often used in ritualistic art for its purity and conductivity of spiritual energies. ––––––––––––––––––

A Touch of Sacred Artistry for Your Sanctuary

This compact yet powerful copper mask is designed to be a cherished addition to your home or sacred space. Its size makes it versatile, allowing it to be hung on a wall as a statement piece or placed on a shelf to imbue the surroundings with its protective aura. Each mask is a testament to the enduring legacy of Nepalese artistry and the profound spiritual traditions it serves. By bringing this Mahakala mask into your life, you are inviting a symbol of strength, wisdom, and unwavering protection, a tangible connection to the powerful energies of the Himalayas.

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.