Vajravarahi

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Name: Vajravarahi
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZAY49
Price: 360.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$450

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ZAY49
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 7 inch
	Width: 5 inch
	Depth: 2 inch
	Weight 900 kg

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.

Embodiment of Fierce Compassion and Power

This exquisite statue captures the formidable presence of Vajravarahi, a prominent dakini in Tibetan Buddhism, embodying fierce compassion and the power to overcome obstacles. Crafted from copper and meticulously gilded with 24 karat gold, this artwork radiates a divine aura, inviting contemplation and spiritual connection. The golden sheen accentuates the intricate details of her form, from the delicate adornments to the dynamic posture that signifies her untamed energy. The statuette stands as a testament to the rich artistic traditions of Vajrayana Buddhism, where each element is imbued with symbolic meaning.

Symbolism and Divine Representation

Vajravarahi, whose name translates to "Diamond Sow," is a powerful female deity often depicted with a sow's head, though in this representation, the facial features are humanized with an intensely focused and auspicious expression. She is a manifestation of wisdom and is associated with the ultimate nature of reality, the Vajra, symbolizing indestructibility and power. Her stance, with one leg raised and the other pressing down on a prostrate figure, symbolizes her triumph over ignorance, ego, and the illusions of the material world. The blazing aureole behind her, rendered in vibrant reds and oranges with golden accents, represents the primal fire of primordial wisdom that consumes all negativities and afflictions. This fiery halo is not of destruction, but of purification and transformative illumination, guiding practitioners towards enlightenment.

A Glimpse into Buddhist Iconography

In Tibetan Buddhist iconography, dakinis are celestial beings who represent the feminine principle of wisdom and are active agents of spiritual transformation. Vajravarahi is considered one of the most important among them, a consort to various male deities and a fierce protector of the Dharma. Tales speak of her as a spiritual guide, leading devoted practitioners through the challenges of the path to liberation. Her presence is invoked to conquer fear, illness, and inner demons, making her a powerful symbol of empowerment and spiritual victory. This statuette, through its artistic merit and profound symbolism, serves as a potent reminder of the transformative potential within all beings, and the radiant wisdom that can be accessed through diligent practice. The golden gilding enhances her divine radiance, signifying purity, abundance, and the ultimate enlightened state.

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.