Skull with Ashtamangala and Vishva Vajra

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Name: Skull with Ashtamangala and Vishva Vajra
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: XQ94
Price: 550.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$688

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	XQ94
	Copper and Metal
	Height: 9 inch
	Width: 7 inch
	Depth: 6.5 inch
	Weight 850 gm

Delivery and Return Policies


	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

A Symbol of Impermanence and Power

The skull, an enduring symbol across cultures, serves as a potent reminder of mortality and the transient nature of existence. Yet, within Buddhist traditions, the skull transcends mere morbidity, becoming an emblem of transformation, liberation, and the potential for enlightenment. This representation encourages detachment from ego and worldly attachments, guiding practitioners toward a deeper understanding of reality. It is a symbol to meditate on, rather than shy away from, in order to come to terms with the inevitability of death.

The Eight Auspicious Symbols

Adorning this skull are the Ashtamangala, the eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism, each representing a quality of enlightenment and offering blessings. These include: * The Lotus Flower: Symbolizing purity, spiritual awakening, and detachment from samsara (the cycle of suffering). Like the lotus that rises untainted from muddy waters, the enlightened mind emerges from the chaos of the world. * The Endless Knot: Representing the interconnectedness of all things, the infinite wisdom of the Buddha, and the cyclical nature of existence. * The Golden Fish: Embodying happiness, spontaneity, and freedom from suffering. Fish swim freely, symbolizing liberation from constraints. * The Victory Banner: Signifying the triumph of wisdom over ignorance, and the overcoming of obstacles on the path to enlightenment. * The Treasure Vase: Representing abundance, prosperity, and the inexhaustible wealth of spiritual teachings. * The Dharma Wheel: Symbolizing the teachings of the Buddha, the path to enlightenment, and the continuous cycle of dharma. * The Conch Shell: Signifying the proclamation of the dharma, inviting all beings to awaken from their slumber of ignorance. * The Parasol: Representing protection from suffering, harmful forces, and negative influences. Together, these symbols represent the complete path to enlightenment, offering guidance and blessings to those who contemplate them.

The Vishva Vajra: Indestructible Reality

The Vishva Vajra, also known as the double vajra or crossed vajra, is another powerful symbol incorporated into this piece. Composed of two vajras intersecting at right angles, it represents the stability and indestructibility of the ultimate reality. The vajra itself symbolizes the diamond-like clarity of the enlightened mind, its ability to cut through ignorance, and its unyielding strength. The Vishva Vajra embodies the foundation of the universe and the unwavering nature of truth.

Craftsmanship and Materials

This intricate statue is meticulously crafted from copper and other metals, showcasing a striking combination of textures and colors. The mosaic-like application of turquoise and coral-colored stones creates a vibrant and eye-catching display. This piece serves as both a profound spiritual reminder and a testament to the rich artistic heritage of Buddhist traditions. It is a captivating addition to any space, inviting contemplation and inspiring a deeper understanding of the impermanent yet ultimately beautiful nature of life.

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.