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MADE IN INDIA.

Tibetan Buddhist Deity Vajrapani - Made in Nepal

$722.25
$963
25% off
Includes any tariffs and taxes
Specifications
ZEM902
Copper Sculpture gilded with 24 Karat Gold
Height: 7.7 inch
Width: 2.7 inch
Depth: 6 inch
Weight 1.50 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Embodying Indomitable Power and Protection

This exquisite copper statue, meticulously crafted in Nepal, depicts Vajrapani, a prominent deity in Tibetan Buddhism. Vajrapani, often translated as "Vajra Holder," is one of the three great Bodhisattvas, alongside Manjushri and Avalokiteshvara, representing the power, strength, and skillful means of all Buddhas. His formidable presence is a visual testament to his role as a guardian against ignorance, fear, and malevolent forces.

A Visage of Divine Wrath and Compassion

Vajrapani's iconography is rich and layered. His fierce expression, with bared fangs and a stern gaze, symbolizes his unwavering resolve to vanquish obstacles on the path to enlightenment. The third eye on his forehead signifies omniscient awareness, capable of perceiving the true nature of reality. His wild hair and flaming aura, rendered in vibrant hues of orange and red, represent his blazing wisdom that consumes all delusions and negativities. Despite his wrathful appearance, Vajrapani is a Bodhisattva of immense compassion, embodying the protective energy that shields practitioners from spiritual and worldly harm. He is said to have been born from the forehead of the Buddha, embodying his immense power.

Symbols of Ultimate Power and Wisdom

In this dynamic depiction, Vajrapani holds the vajra, the thunderbolt scepter, which represents the indestructible nature of enlightenment and the power to cut through ignorance. This iconic symbol is central to his name and his spiritual function. The statue is further adorned with intricate details, reflecting the masterful artistry of Nepalese artisans. The copper core provides a solid foundation, while the 24-karat gold gilding imbues the figure with divine radiance and auspiciousness, further emphasizing its sacred nature. The vibrant pigments used in the painting further enhance the visual impact, bringing the deity to life with an awe-inspiring presence.

A Guardian for the Dedicated Practitioner

The base upon which Vajrapani stands is intricately decorated, symbolizing the rich cosmology and philosophical underpinnings of Tibetan Buddhism. The vibrant colors and patterns on the base represent the multitude of realms and experiences, all of which Vajrapani presides over with his powerful protection. Having this statue in your space serves as a constant reminder of the unwavering strength that lies within and the power available to overcome challenges. It is believed that invoking Vajrapani can bestow courage, enhance mental clarity, and provide protection against unseen dangers. This masterpiece is not merely an object of art but a powerful conduit for spiritual inspiration and divine guardianship, a tangible connection to the profound wisdom and protective energy of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

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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