Tibetan Buddhist Yogini Machig Labdron with Damaru and Bell - Made in Nepal

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Name: Tibetan Buddhist Yogini Machig Labdron with Damaru and Bell - Made in Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZEM845
Price: 470.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$588

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Specifications

	ZEM845
	Copper Sculpture gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 7.8 inch
	Width: 2.2 inch
	Depth: 5.5 inch
	Weight 800 gm

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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Embodiment of Wisdom and Compassion

This exquisite statue captures the vibrant essence of Machig Labdron, a revered 11th-century Tibetan Buddhist yogini and spiritual master. Her form is depicted in a dynamic dance pose, symbolizing the active and transformative nature of her teachings. She stands within a fiery aureole, a powerful representation of her ability to transmute suffering and negative emotions into wisdom and clarity. The flames, rendered in a rich palette of reds, oranges, and gold, evoke the transformative fires of purification and spiritual realization.

Iconography and Meaning

Machig Labdron is traditionally depicted with a serene yet fierce expression, embodying the skillful means of a fully realized yogi. Her body, clad in striking red, signifies vitality, passion, and the potent energy of the awakened mind. Around her neck, a symbolic garland of skulls can be seen, representing her mastery over the ego and the illusion of self. In her hands, she holds the damaru and bell, instruments central to tantric practice. The damaru, a small hand drum, symbolizes the primordial sound of creation and the rhythm of existence. The bell, often signifying wisdom and emptiness, is played in conjunction with the damaru to awaken awareness and cut through delusion. Her posture, with one leg raised, conveys forward momentum and the unshakeable stability of one who has achieved liberation.

A Masterpiece of Craftsmanship

Handcrafted in Nepal, this statue is a testament to the rich artistic traditions of the Himalayan region. The figure is meticulously sculpted from copper, a sacred metal in Tibetan Buddhism, believed to possess purifying qualities and to conduct spiritual energy. The entire piece is then exquisitely gilded with 24-karat gold, lending it a radiant glow that enhances its sacred presence. The intricate details of her facial features, her jewelry, and the ornate aureole are all rendered with remarkable precision, reflecting the skill and devotion of the artisans. The vibrant colors used to adorn the statue, from the deep blues of the swirling clouds beneath her feet to the delicate pinks and greens, further accentuate its spiritual dynamism and aesthetic appeal.

Spiritual Significance and Devotion

Machig Labdron is the founder of the Chöd lineage, a unique and profound practice that involves offering one's own body as a means to cut through attachment, fear, and the illusion of a separate self. Her teachings emphasize the direct experience of emptiness and the integration of all phenomena into the luminous nature of mind. This statue serves as a powerful visual aid for meditation and contemplation, inviting practitioners to connect with Machig Labdron's enlightened qualities and to cultivate their own inner wisdom and compassion. It is an ideal piece for personal altars, meditation rooms, or as a meaningful gift for those on a spiritual path.

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.