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12" Bhumisparsha Buddha from Nepal

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$810.75

$1081

25% off

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Specifications

	WSA066
	Copper
	Height: 12.5 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 10 inch
	Weight 4.32 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Ships in 1-3 days
	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.

The Earth-Touching Gesture: A Symbol of Enlightenment

This exquisite copper statue captures the profound moment of the Buddha's enlightenment, embodying the sacred Bhumisparsha Mudra, or "earth-touching gesture." The image depicts Siddhartha Gautama, seated in a meditative posture, his right hand extended towards the earth, fingertips gently brushing the ground. This iconic gesture signifies his victory over Mara, the demon who attempted to disturb his meditation on the eve of his awakening. According to Buddhist lore, Mara sent his daughters to seduce the Buddha and unleashed his armies to assault him. Unmoved, the Buddha, with an unshakeable resolve, touched the earth, calling upon Bhumi, the earth goddess, as his witness to his purity and enlightenment. The earth itself trembled in response, confirming his victory and the authenticity of his path.

Artistry from the Himalayas

Crafted from durable and lustrous copper, this statue is a testament to the rich artistic traditions of Nepal. The serene countenance of the Buddha, with downcast eyes and a gentle smile, radiates a sense of peace and profound wisdom. His ushnisha, the cranial protuberance symbolizing his heightened spiritual awareness, is topped with a delicate finial, while his elongated earlobes represent his detachment from worldly pleasures. The intricate detailing on his monastic robe, adorned with golden accents and swirling patterns, speaks to the meticulous craftsmanship of the Nepalese artisans. The robe itself is draped with graceful folds, adding to the statue's dynamic yet tranquil presence.

A Pedestal of Sacred Symbolism

The Buddha is seated upon a magnificent lotus pedestal, another potent symbol in Buddhist iconography. The lotus, which grows from muddy waters but blossoms into a pristine flower, represents purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening, emerging from the mire of earthly desires and ignorance. The multi-tiered base is further embellished with traditional decorative motifs, adding to the statue's overall grandeur and spiritual significance. The subtle patina of the copper enhances the depth and texture of the carving, giving the artwork a timeless appeal.

Invoking Peace and Spiritual Awareness

This Bhumisparsha Buddha statue serves as a powerful reminder of the Buddha's teachings on compassion, mindfulness, and the attainment of enlightenment. Its presence in a home or meditation space can inspire contemplation, foster a sense of calm, and encourage a deeper connection to one's spiritual path. The gesture of touching the earth symbolizes grounding and stability, inviting the observer to connect with the fundamental truths of existence and to find strength in stillness. This piece is more than just an object of art; it is a conduit for peace, wisdom, and the enduring spirit of Buddhism, hailing from the mystical lands of Nepal.

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.