11" Kubera Copper Statue | Tibetan Buddhist Idols

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$1440

Intricately carved with meticulous precision, this copper statue of Dharampala Kubera stands as a testament to exquisite artistry, breathing life into the true form of the Lord of Yakshas. Kubera, known as the god of wealth, is intimately connected with concealed treasures like precious minerals and jewels. His distinctive plump figure, adorned with a commanding paunch, is a signature characteristic that symbolizes opulence and abundance.

 

The sculpture masterfully captures Kubera's authoritative presence, depicted in the undistinguished Tibetan form, showcasing two arms. In his left hand, he cradles a mongoose, a symbol representing wealth and fortune, also known as Nakula. In his right hand, he holds a sheaf of jewels, embodying prosperity and affluence.

 

Each meticulous detail etched into this copper sculpture resonates with Kubera's essence, bringing forth the divine representation of the revered Lord of Yakshas. The artistry unveiled in this masterpiece mirrors the rich cultural and spiritual heritage, embodying the blessings and abundance associated with Kubera, the god of wealth.

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Item Code: MIS569
Specifications:
Copper
Height: 11 inch
Width: 7 inch
Depth: 6 inch
Weight: 3.10 kg
Handmade
Handmade
Free delivery
Free delivery
Fully insured
Fully insured
100% Made in India
100% Made in India
Fair trade
Fair trade

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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