Two-Armed Tibetan Buddhist Mahakala Copper Statue - Made in Nepal

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Two-Armed Tibetan Buddhist Mahakala Copper Statue - Made in Nepal

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Name: Two-Armed Tibetan Buddhist Mahakala Copper Statue - Made in Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZEM789
Price: 1430.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$871.65

$1788

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Only 1 available

“Dharmapala”- the guardian of Dharma, Mahakala in Tibetan Buddhism is an aspect of Shiva Mahakala in the sect, worshipped as a valiant protector and guide. In this copper statue from Nepal, the wrath and prowess of Mahakala have been expressed with a fiery iconography, depicting him standing on an ornate lotus platform, trampling death under his feet. The armor of Mahakala is embellished with gold, folds, and sways around him dynamically, bringing a degree of vigor to the composition.

The hair of Mahakala is highlighted by a brilliant orange-yellow, symbolizing the flaming wisdom within, which allows the person to see past, present, and future, through the three eyes of Mahakala. The ornamentation of this ethereal deity is awe-inspiring, with a serpent wrapped around his form, a belt of severed heads visible under his belly, golden jewelry, a dagger tucked in his waist, and a Kartika and skullcup in his hands. Rising flames, representing the pure wisdom of Mahakala that annihilates and burns through worldly ties and facades, form the quintessential Tibetan aureole for this statute, giving it a majestic allure.

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Specifications

	ZEM789
	Copper Sculpture gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 13 inch
	Width: 4.2 inch
	Depth: 9 inch
	Weight 4.40 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Ships in 1-3 days
	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.

The Ferocious Protector: A Mahakala Statue of Imposing Power

This magnificent statue captures the essence of Mahakala, one of the most significant wrathful deities in Tibetan Buddhism. Revered as a protector of the Dharma and a powerful force against obstacles, Mahakala is depicted here in a striking form that commands both awe and respect. Crafted in Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual artistry and devotion, this sculpture is a testament to the skill of generations of artisans who have perfected the ancient techniques of metal casting and embellishment. The deity's formidable appearance is central to his iconography. With his fierce visage, bulging eyes, and bared fangs, Mahakala embodies the righteous anger needed to vanquish ignorance, negativity, and spiritual hindrances. His expression is not one of malice, but of intense focus and unwavering determination to safeguard the path to enlightenment. A third eye adorns his forehead, symbolizing his all-seeing wisdom and ability to perceive beyond the mundane. The rich, earthy tones of the copper base are brought to life by accents of 24-karat gold gilding, highlighting the intricate details of his robes and adornments, imbuing the piece with a celestial radiance.

Symbolism and Divine Presence

The flaming aureole that envelops Mahakala is a powerful symbol of his all-consuming energy and the purifying fires of wisdom that burn away all defilements. These flames, rendered in vibrant reds and oranges with golden highlights, convey the dynamic and transformative power of the deity. His posture, often depicted in a dynamic stance, signifies his readiness to act and his energetic engagement with the forces that threaten spiritual progress. The two arms suggest his active intervention, wielding symbolic implements or holding gestures of protection and destruction. The iconography of Mahakala often includes representations of overcome adversaries beneath his feet, symbolizing the subjugation of negative forces and the triumph of enlightened wisdom. The presence of such elements in this sculpture reinforces his role as a vanquisher of obstacles and a guardian of the sacred.

A Sacred Offering, Handcrafted in Nepal

This exquisite statue is more than just an object of art; it is a sacred representation of divine protection and a focal point for meditation and devotion. The choice of copper as the primary material, combined with the pure gold gilding, speaks to the value and reverence associated with such spiritual icons. Each detail, from the fierce expression to the flowing robes and the symbolic flames, is meticulously rendered by skilled Nepalese craftspeople. Their dedication to preserving traditional methods ensures that this statue carries the spiritual weight and aesthetic beauty that has been cherished for centuries in the Himalayan Buddhist traditions. Owning such a piece is an opportunity to connect with the powerful protective energies of Mahakala and to bring a profound sense of spiritual presence into your sacred 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.