10" Chenrezig Copper Figurine from Nepal Seated on Superfine Pedestal

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10" Chenrezig Copper Figurine from Nepal Seated on Superfine Pedestal

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$1134.75

$1513

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“Chenrezig”- he who gazes with a benevolent eye, is a name for the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in Tibetan, revered popularly for his unbounded mercy for all living beings. As the supreme example of the compassion of Bodhisattva, Chenrezig remains eternally in the human realm, to help the followers of Buddhism cross the ocean of existence while denying himself the ultimate salvation. The four-armed form of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig is also called “Shadakshari” (he who has six or Shada, syllables or Akshara), after his potent mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum”.

This superfine copper statue from Nepal belongs to Shadakshari Lokeshvara who sits on an ornately-shaped lotus, symbolizing the Thousand-petalled lotus flower of Buddhism, which is the most divine seat for any deity, a representation of “Sahasrapadma” and the crown chakra, where the wisdom of Lokeshvara blooms.

Chenrezig is beautifully attired in soft garments along with the five-pronged crown, ornate earrings, necklaces, armlets, bracelets, and anklets, all exquisitely delineated. The form and expressions of Chenrezig carry a heavenliness and youthful aura, which is amplified by the seamless polish of the statue, a masterpiece of Nepalese art.

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Specifications

	ZER375
	Copper
	10.00 inch Height X 7.70 inch Width X 6.50 inch Depth
	Weight 3.16 kg

Delivery and Return Policies


	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Embodiment of Compassion: A Reverent Depiction of Chenrezig

This exquisite copper figurine captures the serene presence of Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, a central figure in Tibetan Buddhism. The artistry and dedication evident in this piece speak to its Nepalese origin, a region renowned for its rich spiritual heritage and masterful metalwork. Chenrezig, known as Avalokiteshvara in Sanskrit, is the personification of all Buddhas' compassion. Legend tells that when the Bodhisattva saw the immense suffering in the world, a tear rolled down his cheek, from which the goddess Tara sprang forth to help him alleviate this pain. This figurine, with its multi-armed form, symbolizes the boundless reach of Chenrezig's benevolent attention and his ability to offer solace and aid to countless beings across all realms. –––––––––––––––––––

The Iconography of Compassion

The serene expression on Chenrezig's face, with eyes gently downcast, conveys profound empathy and a deep understanding of the human condition. His central hands are pressed together in the Añjali Mudra, a gesture of prayer and salutation, signifying respect and devotion. To his right, he holds a mala, or string of prayer beads, symbolizing his constant mindfulness and his practice of reciting mantras for the benefit of all sentient beings. In his upper left hand, he grasps a lotus flower, a powerful symbol of purity, enlightenment, and the blossoming of wisdom from the mud of ignorance. The intricate details of his crown and ornaments speak to his enlightened nature and his role as a celestial being. –––––––––––––––––––

Artistry and Symbolism in Copper

Crafted from high-quality copper, this figurine possesses a weight and a lustrous patina that speaks to its enduring value and the skill of the artisans. Copper is often used in Buddhist iconography for its conductivity of spiritual energy and its association with purification. The meticulous detailing, from the flowing robes to the delicate facial features, highlights the traditional methods employed in Nepalese craftsmanship. The statue is seated upon a superfine, multi-layered lotus pedestal. The lotus, a potent symbol in many Eastern religions, represents the purification of the mind, growing unstained from the muddy waters of existence to bloom in the light of enlightenment. The waves and swirls adorning the base of the pedestal can be interpreted as the turbulent currents of samsara from which the enlightened being offers liberation. This impressive piece serves not only as a beautiful object of devotion but also as a tangible reminder of the omnipresent nature of compassion and the potential for all beings to achieve spiritual awakening.

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.