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13" Gilded Copper Chenrezig Statue (Avalokiteshvara) From Nepal

$1242
$1656
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In this Nepalese gilt copper statue, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig is seated on a Padmasana (lotus throne), holding the Chintamani—the wish-fulfilling jewel—between his clasped palms, clad in celestial garb. The Bodhisattva is seated serenely in the meditational position, his heavenly face framed by a five-pronged crown and he is adorned with ornaments studded with turquoise and corals. Avalokiteshvara stirs and relaxes the mind at the same time, all while displaying a stunning smile.

Specifications
MIU231
COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
Height: 13 inch
Width: 9.5 inch
Depth: 6 inch
Weight 3.50 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 6 days
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Embodiment of Compassion: The Gilded Chenrezig Statue

This exquisite statue, crafted from copper and meticulously gilded with pure gold, depicts Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. In Tibetan Buddhism, Chenrezig is the earthly manifestation of the Buddha of Infinite Compassion, Avalokiteshvara. His presence is believed to offer solace, protection, and guidance to all sentient beings. This particular representation captures Chenrezig with his characteristic four arms, each holding a symbolic object that signifies his boundless virtues. The primary hands are pressed together in the anjali mudra, a gesture of prayer and reverence, while the other two arms hold a wish-fulfilling jewel and a lotus blossom. ––––––––––––––––––––

A Testament to Nepalese Craftsmanship

Hailing from the heart of Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual tradition and artistic mastery, this statue is a profound expression of devotion and skillful craftsmanship. The artisans of Nepal have, for centuries, honed their techniques in sculpting and gilding religious imagery, drawing inspiration from ancient Buddhist texts and iconography. The intricate details of the Bodhisattva's regalia, from the ornate crown adorned with precious stones to the flowing robes and the delicate floral motifs etched into the base, speak to the dedication and artistry of its creators. The radiant golden hue symbolizes purity, enlightenment, and the divine nature of compassion itself, making this a truly awe-inspiring piece. ––––––––––––––––––––

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Chenrezig is revered as the protector of Tibet, and his mantra, "Om Mani Padme Hum," is one of the most chanted mantras in Buddhism. Legend has it that when the Bodhisattva heard the cries of suffering beings in the world, his compassion was so vast that his head split into eleven pieces. Amitabha Buddha then reassembled these pieces, creating his eleven-faced form, and then from his heart, he bestowed the thousand arms and thousand eyes of Chenrezig, enabling him to reach out and help all beings. The lotus he holds symbolizes purity and the potential for enlightenment within all, while the wish-fulfilling jewel represents the attainment of all desires for the benefit of others. Placing this statue in your home or sacred space invites the benevolent energy of Chenrezig, fostering a sense of peace, harmony, and unwavering compassion in your life and surroundings.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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