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The Flying Plaits Of Lord Nataraja

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$550

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Copper is the forte of the Nepalese sculptor. Among brass, bronze, and wood, it has its own special place as proof of the regional artisan’s penchant for difficult media. The one you see on this page is a fine example of the same. It depicts the Lord Shiva in His Nataraja-roopa, in the midst of His destructive tandava. It is avidya (ignorance) He destroys through His dance, which is the breeding ground for every imaginable affliction that besets the human psyche. The very image of such debilitating ignorance is the apasmara, the figure that the Lord crushes to death beneath His feet, agony writ large on His face.

A number of aspects set this work apart from your run-of-the-mill Nataraja sculptures. It is a compact composition - the flame-spewing aureole is a perfect round, the asymmetrical dancing figure placed therein filling it up completely. The Lord’s hair is in a bunch of plaits that are flying about His face despite the weight, conveying the intensity of His divine motion. The shringar is minimal but substantial. A cobra dangles from one of His limbs, its hood raised, stance as dynamic is Lord Shiva’s itself.

The lotus pedestal with its petals turned downward is the only suggestion of gentleness in this sculpture. The same is complemented by the Lord’s composure of countenance - calm and drawn in, the very picture of stability and omniscience.

This item can be backordered

Time required to recreate this artwork

12 to 16 weeks

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$110 (20%)

Balance to be paid once product is ready

$440

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Item Code:	ZEN124
Specifications:	Copper Statue From Nepal
Height:	12.6 inch
Width:	5.2 inch
Depth:	11.3 inch
Weight:	2.50 kg

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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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is the statue hollow or solid ?

A. Panchaloha bronze statues are made through a process of lost wax casting, hence they are solid. To know more about how bronze statues are made, please read our article on Panchaloha Bronze Statues. Whereas, brass statues are made through a process of clay casting, hence are hollow.
Q. Can I see the original photo of the product ?

A. For original pictures of the statue, kindly email us at [email protected].
Q. Can I return the statue ?

A. All returns must be postmarked within seven (7) days of the delivery date. All returned items must be in new and unused condition, with all original tags and labels attached. To know more please view our return policy.
Q. Can you customise the statue for me ?

A. For any customisation, a new bronze statue has to be made. To know more, kindly email us at [email protected].