Tibetan Buddhist Wisdom Yogini - Simhamukha Dakini (Made in Nepal)

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Name: Tibetan Buddhist Wisdom Yogini - Simhamukha Dakini (Made in Nepal)
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZEM857
Price: 325.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$304.50

$406

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Specifications

	ZEM857
	COPPER STATUE FROM NEPAL
	Height: 6.5 inch
	Width: 1.7 inch
	Depth: 4.6 inch
	Weight 470 gm

Delivery and Return Policies


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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Embodying Fierce Wisdom and Transformation

This exquisite copper statue, meticulously crafted in Nepal, captures the powerful presence of Simhamukha Dakini, a revered wisdom dakini in Tibetan Buddhism. Simhamukha, whose name translates to "Lion-Faced," is a formidable manifestation, embodying the transformative power that arises from confronting and overcoming our deepest fears and negative energies. Her lion's face symbolizes fearlessness, majesty, and the ability to roar down obstacles, both internal and external. The fierce yet compassionate aspect of Simhamukha is vividly portrayed in this sculpture. Her stance is dynamic, exuding an energy of controlled power, as if poised to leap into action against ignorance and delusion. The intricate details of her form, from the sharp angles of her countenance to the dynamic folds of her garments, speak to the profound philosophical underpinnings of her symbolism. She is often depicted adorned with skulls and other potent symbols, representing the impermanence of life and the ultimate victory over attachment and ego. ––––––––––––––––––

A Protector and Guide on the Spiritual Path

In the rich tapestry of Tibetan Buddhist lore, dakinis are divine feminine beings who are protectors of the Dharma and guides on the spiritual path. Simhamukha Dakini, in particular, is invoked to dispel obstacles, purify negative karma, and protect practitioners from inner and outer hindrances. She is seen as a manifestation of Prajnaparamita, the perfection of wisdom, and her fierce energy is not one of wrath, but of swift and decisive action to clear the path for enlightenment. Her image serves as a powerful reminder that true liberation often requires confronting the challenging aspects of ourselves and the world with unwavering courage. This statue is more than just a beautiful object; it is a conduit for spiritual energy and a focal point for meditation and devotion. The artist's skill in rendering the complex iconography, including the nimbus of flames that encircles Simhamukha, signifies her fiery, transformative nature, burning away impurities and illuminating the path of wisdom. The use of copper, a sacred metal in many traditions, further enhances its spiritual significance, imbued with the intentions of the artisans and the blessings of the tradition from which it originates. Displaying this representation of Simhamukha Dakini in your home or sacred space can serve as a constant inspiration to cultivate inner strength, overcome challenges, and move forward on your own journey of transformation.

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.