7" Chuchepa Mahakala Copper Statue Gold Gilded Face Painted Hand Carved Patan

Description

Fine Quality 7" Chuchepa Mahakala Statue from Patan, Nepal
Lost Wax Method, Copper Alloy Fully Gold Gilded Hand Face Painted
Chuchepa Mahakala – The Protector of all Tibetan Buddhism
Mahakala is a form of the Protector of all Tibetan Buddhism. He is four-armed and extremely wrathful in appearance. He holds an upraised sword which symbolizes the wisdom, knowledge or ability to cut through delusion or obstacles. His lower right hand holds a kartika symbolizing the destruction of negativities or evil beings, and the pulling or driving of all beings out of samsara and towards liberation. His uppermost left hand holds a khatvanga, a magic wand held by tantric deities (which is missing from the photo but we have) and his lower left hand holds a skull-cup which serves as a libation vessel for wrathful and protective Vajrayana deities. As a receptacle for sacrificial offerings presented to wrathful deities, the kapala parallels the precious tray or bowl containing auspicious substances. Chuchepa Mahakala's hair flows upward as he stares with glaring eyes and a wide gaping mouth. Adorned with the bone ornaments of a wrathful deity he wears a necklace of freshly severed heads and a tiger skin. He is completely surrounded by the flames of pristine awareness.
Gestures and Attributes
His three eyes symbolize his knowledge of the past, present and future, and also the manifestation of the three bodies of Buddha. The crown adorned with five skulls symbolizes the transformation of the five poisons of anger, desire, ignorance, jealousy and pride into the five wisdoms. His two feet are the means and the wisdom to accomplish his task. Mahakala is seen standing on the corpses of a human bodies, thus symbolizing the death of negativity and the complete uprooting of negative patterns to such a point that, like a dead body, they will not come to life.
About this Sculpture
Expertly cast from copper alloy and gilded with 24 karat gold, this statue is an beautiful portrayal of Chuchepa Mahakala. This sculpture was crafted in Patan, Nepal by master artisans of the Shakya clan who are considered among the best in the world. These craftsmen are the modern heirs to a centuries-old tradition of creating sacred art for use in temples and monasteries. The fine metalworking techniques have been passed down from generation to generation since ancient times.
Purchase Details
Name
Chuchepa Mahakala Statue - Fully Gold Gilded
Height
7" with frame
Height
5.75" without frame
Width
5.5"
Depth
3.25"
Material
Lost Wax Method, Copper Alloy with Fully Gold Gilded
Shipping Weight
2.0 kg / 4.4 lbs. (approximate)
Ships From
Patan, Nepal