Tibetan Buddhist Skull (With the Images of Ashtamangala on Reverse Side)

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Tibetan Buddhist Skull (With the Images of Ashtamangala on Reverse Side)

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Name: Tibetan Buddhist Skull (With the Images of Ashtamangala on Reverse Side)
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZAG21
Price: 405.00 USD
Availability: InStock

SG$453.75

SG$605

25% off

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	ZAG21
	Copper and Metal
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 5 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 650 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.

A Symbol of Impermanence and Enlightenment

This striking Tibetan Buddhist skull, meticulously crafted from copper and metal, is more than just an artifact; it is a powerful symbol deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy and artistic traditions. In Tibetan Buddhism, the skull, known as a Kapala, serves as a profound reminder of the impermanence of life and the illusory nature of attachment. It encourages practitioners to confront mortality directly, thereby fostering detachment from worldly desires and cultivating a deeper understanding of the path to enlightenment. This particular Kapala is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of Himalayan artisans, adorned with vibrant mosaics of turquoise, coral-red stones, and what appears to be mother-of-pearl, accented by precious and semi-precious gems. ––––––––––

Artistry and Auspicious Embellishments

The intricate mosaic work, where countless small pieces are precisely fitted together, creates a visually arresting texture and depth across the surface of the skull. The bold use of turquoise, a stone highly revered in Tibetan culture for its protective and healing properties, and vibrant red, often associated with vitality and passion, draws the eye and conveys a sense of sacred power. The addition of other colored gemstones further enhances its spiritual resonance and aesthetic appeal. The detailed craftsmanship extends to the teeth, each individually carved and set, adding to the visceral realism of the skull. Delicate metalwork, likely silver or gold alloy, outlines key features, adding a touch of preciousness and highlighting the artistic mastery involved in its creation. ––––––––––

The Auspicious Symbols of the Ashtamangala

Turning this powerful representation of impermanence over reveals a hidden layer of spiritual significance. The reverse side of the skull is adorned with the

Ashtamangala

, the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism. These potent symbols, traditionally used in Tibetan art and rituals, represent various aspects of the Buddha's teachings and the qualities of an enlightened mind. While not explicitly detailed in this particular piece, their presence is often depicted through iconic imagery such as the Endless Knot (symbolizing interconnectedness and the Buddha's wisdom), the Lotus Flower (representing purity and spiritual awakening), the Victory Banner (signifying the triumph of the dharma over negativity), and others. The inclusion of the Ashtamangala imbues this Kapala with a dualistic power: the stark reminder of mortality and the radiant promise of liberation. This Kapala serves as a unique and deeply meaningful object for meditation, contemplation, or as a sacred accent piece for any spiritual space.

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.