| Product Tags | Handmade, Handicraft, Craft, Statue, Gold Plated, Mahakal, Mahakal With 2 Arms |
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Nepali Handmade Statue Of Mahakal With 2 Arms Fire Gold Plated
Weight: 8.57 kg
Size: 37x25x14 cm
Material: Copper Gold Plated
About the Product
Finishing: Full Fire Gold Gilded
Detailed Description of Mercury Gilding - Source wikipedia
Fire-gilding or Wash-gilding is a process by which an amalgam of gold is applied to metallic surfaces the mercury being subsequently volatilized leaving a film of gold or an amalgam containing 13 to 16% mercury. In the preparation of the amalgam the gold must first be reduced to thin plates or grains which are heated red-hot and thrown into previously heated mercury until it begins to smoke. When the mixture is stirred with an iron rod the gold is totally absorbed. The proportion of mercury to gold is generally six or eight to one. When the amalgam is cold it is squeezed through chamois leather to separate the superfluous mercury; the gold with about twice its weight of mercury remains behind forming a yellowish silvery mass with the consistency of butter.
When the metal to be gilded is wrought or chased it ought to be covered with mercury before the amalgam is applied that this may be more easily spread; but when the surface of the metal is plain the amalgam may be applied to it directly. When no such preparation is applied the surface to be gilded is simply bitten and cleaned with nitric acid. A deposit of mercury is obtained on a metallic surface using quicksilver water a solution of mercury(II) nitrate the nitric acid attacking the metal to which it is applied and thus leaving a film of free metallic mercury.
The amalgam is equally spread over the prepared surface of the metal the mercury is then sublimed by heat just sufficient for that purpose; for if it is too great part of the gold may be driven off or it may run together and leave some of the surface of the metal bare. When the mercury has evaporated which is known by the surface having entirely become of a dull yellow color the metal must undergo other operations by which the fine gold color is given to it. First the gilded surface is rubbed with a scratch brush of brass wire until its surface is smooth.
It is then covered with gilding wax and again exposed to fire until the wax is burnt off. Gilding wax is composed of beeswax mixed with some of the following substances: red ochre verdigris copper scales alum vitriol and borax. By this operation the color of the gilding is heightened and the effect seems to be produced by a perfect dissipation of some mercury remaining after the former operation. The gilt surface is then covered over with potassium nitrate alum or other salts ground together and mixed into a paste with water or weak ammonia. The piece of metal thus covered is exposed to heat and then quenched in water.
By this method its color is further improved and brought nearer to that of gold probably by removing any particles of copper that may have been on the gilt surface. This process when skillfully carried out produces gilding of great solidity and beauty but owing to the exposure of the workmen to mercurial fumes it is very unhealthy. There is also much loss of mercury to the atmosphere which brings extremely serious environmental concerns as well.
This method of gilding metallic objects was formerly widespread but fell into disuse as the dangers of mercury toxicity became known. Since fire-gilding requires that the mercury be volatilized to drive off the mercury and leave the gold behind on the surface it is extremely dangerous. Breathing the fumes generated by this process can quickly result in serious health problems such as neurological damage and endocrine disorders since inhalation is a very efficient route for mercuric compounds to enter the body. This process has generally been supplanted by the electroplating of gold over a nickel substrate which is more economical and less dangerous.
Fire Gold Plating In Nepal
Mahakala 2 arms : Brief Introduction
Mahakala is typically black in color. Just as all colors are absorbed and dissolved into black all names and forms are said to melt into those of Mahakala symbolizing his all-embracing comprehensive nature. Black can also represent the total absence of color and signifies the nature of Mahakala as ultimate or absolute reality and transcendence of all form.
The most notable variation in Mahakala's manifestations and depictions is in the number of arms but other details can vary as well. For instance the two-armed Mahakala was transformend from the first Buddha Ardhalma and is worshiped for his spiritual wisdom. The four-armed Mahakala was transformed from the Sambhogakaya Buddha. The six-armed Mahkala comes in two forms : one white and one black. His white form helps one attain riches and a longlife. His black form was transformed from Avalokitesvara and helps people conquer any obstacles on their path to enlightenment.IconographyThe two-armed Mahakala called Bernakchen is a protector of the Karma Kagyu school. It is often thought to be the primary protector but it is actually the main protector of the Karmapas specifically.
This protective deity is described as figures possessing stout bodies short but thick and strong limbs. His flaming hair decorated with a crown of skulls rises from his forehead while a circle of flames dance around him. His face possesses a typical wrathful expression. The mouth is contorted to an angry smile from its corners protrude long fangs. The protruding bloodshot eyes have an angry and staring expression and usually a third eye is visible in the middle of the forehead.
In his right hand he holds a chopper which symbolizes the cutting through of negative patterns such as aggression hatred and ignorance. In his left hand he holds a skull cup a ritual element typically filled with blood or human brain matter. He is seen standing on the corpse of two human bodies thus symbolizing the death of negativities and the complete uprooting of negative patterns to such a point that like a dead body they will not come to life.
Mantra of Mahakala
