Tibetan Buddhist Makara Chopper With Vajra Handle - Made in Nepal

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Tibetan Buddhist Makara Chopper With Vajra Handle - Made in Nepal

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$618.75

$825

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Sculpted with a riveting artistic perfection, this handmade copper Makara Chopper from Nepal is inscribed with the potent syllable of Padmasambhava- Om Aa Hum, a powerful mantra used in meditation, to still one’s mind and body. The chopper is beautifully embellished with traditional elements and studded with precious stones which give it a stunning appearance, which is enhanced by the Makara mouth from which emerges the chopper blade. Makara in Buddhist culture is visually synonymous with the Dragon, which is a symbol of Enlightenment, while the Vajra is also a motif used to suggest the powers of pure wisdom, whose presence in the composition of this chopper makes it a powerful tool for an ardent follower of Dhamma.

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Specifications

	ZEM826
	Copper Sculpture gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 12.3 inch
	Width: 3.1 inch
	Depth: 4.7 inch
	Weight 530 gm

Delivery and Return Policies


	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.

An Emblem of Wisdom and Transcendent Power

This exquisite piece embodies the potent symbolism and masterful artistry of Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Crafted with exceptional detail in Nepal, it features a central form representing a Makara, a mythical creature often depicted as a sea monster or a composite animal, whose presence signifies the overcoming of obstacles and the mastery over the forces of nature. In Buddhist iconography, the Makara is a powerful symbol of aspiration and the journey towards enlightenment, often depicted in tantric imagery as a vehicle for deities or as a guardian of sacred spaces.

The Vajra Handle: A Symbol of Unbreakable Resolve

Crowning the Makara is a representation of the Vajra, a ritual object symbolizing a thunderbolt or diamond. In Buddhism, the Vajra signifies invincible strength, spiritual power, and the ultimate truth that is indestructible and eternal. It is often wielded by deities like Vajrapani, the Bodhisattva of power, who embodies the enlightened energy of all Buddhas. The Vajra handle, intricately adorned with vibrant turquoise and carnelian stones, suggests the radiant qualities of wisdom and compassion that cut through illusion and ignorance, just as a diamond cuts through any material. The jewel-toned embellishments amplify the sense of sacredness and the preciousness of spiritual attainment.

Craftsmanship and Divine Adornment

The Makara itself is rendered in lustrous copper, meticulously gilded with 24-karat gold, bestowing upon it a radiant and divine aura. The craftsmanship is evident in every sculpted detail, from the fierce yet captivating visage of the Makara, complete with intricate scales and piercing eyes, to the delicate ornamentation of the Vajra. The inclusion of precious stones, such as the striking turquoise and deeper red hues, further elevates its status as a sacred implement. The addition of a clear, crystalline element emerging from the Makara's mouth adds a mystical touch, hinting at the purity of wisdom or a captured essence.

Sacred Inscription and Spiritual Significance

The crescent-shaped element at the base of the Makara is inscribed with the sacred syllable "Om Ah Hum" in golden Tibetan script. These three syllables are considered the essence of the enlightened body, speech, and mind of all Buddhas. "Om" represents the primordial sound and the enlightened body; "Ah" signifies the enlightened speech and the emptiness of phenomena; and "Hum" embodies the enlightened mind and the indivisible nature of reality. The presence of this mantra further imbues the artifact with profound spiritual energy, serving as a reminder of the inherent Buddha-nature within all beings and the ultimate goal of spiritual realization. This artifact is not merely an object of beauty but a potent tool for meditation and a tangible representation of the path to liberation.

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.