Nepal is famous for its metal crafts. The metal crafts products include metal statues of popular motifs of Hinduism and Buddhism and utilitarian utensils. Statues of Nepal are among most popular metal crafts. These metal crafts are mostly produced by household units clustered around the city of Lalitpur (Patan). Caster in Nepal uses the ancient lost wax method to make metal statues. This method of casting is done by preparing a wax model, covering it with varieties of clay, heating the piece so that the wax is melted , extract the liquid wax so that cavity is created , pouring metal into the cavity , cool it and the original model is translated into the metal image. The metal statues out of the casting are very rough. Rough statue is then made smooth; chiseling is done to bring precision. This complicated job requires an artist's conception, perfection and the skillful hands of a craftsman.
The craftsmen form Patan has preserved the art of making statues. The art and skill is transferred hereditary to next generation. But today, many of the younger ones have forsaken these traditions and adopted other jobs. If the same trends continue the metal crafts of Nepal is in a blink of extension.
Metal art in Nepal
History of metal art in Nepal
Metal Arts and Architectures of Nepal
Process of making metal sculptures