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13" Lord Shakyamuni Buddha Copper Statue | Statue from Nepal

$975
$1300
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Shakyamuni Buddha, the initiator of the Buddhist faith, lived and taught in India, a period marked by a flourishing of philosophical and religious thought spanning from Greece to China. Buddhist figures effectively communicate through their hand and body postures. Notably, Shakyamuni's right hand extends to touch the earth, recalling the moment he invoked the earth's testimony to his triumph over Mara, the supreme deity of the worldly realm (samsara). This act silenced Mara's attempts to divert his meditation. As a response, the earth resonated with tremors, affirming Shakyamuni's attainment of Buddhahood.

 

Meanwhile, his left hand is serenely placed in his lap, adopting the meditative mudra, and it gently cradles his alms bowl—a testament to his embodiment of both inner contemplation and his role as a mendicant monk.

Specifications
CAA115
Copper With Gold
Height: 13 inch
Width: 10 inch
Depth: 5.5 inch
Weight 4.50 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.

Embodying Enlightenment: A Nepalese Masterpiece

This exquisite statue captures the serene visage of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, in a posture of deep meditation and profound wisdom. Crafted from copper and adorned with a resplendent gold finish, this piece emanates an aura of divine tranquility and spiritual richness. Originating from Nepal, a land steeped in Buddhist tradition and renowned for its masterful artistry, this statue is a testament to centuries-old artisanal techniques passed down through generations. The intricate detailing and the radiant gleam of the gold evoke a sense of sacredness, making it a truly captivating object of devotion and artistic admiration.

The Iconography of Serenity

Lord Shakyamuni Buddha is depicted here in the traditional Vajrasana posture, with legs crossed and soles of the feet turned upwards, symbolizing the attainment of perfect enlightenment. His hands rest in his lap in the Dhyana Mudra, the gesture of meditation, with the right hand resting on the left, signifying the balance between the material and spiritual worlds. In his left palm, he holds the alms bowl, a humble reminder of his renunciation of worldly possessions and his commitment to a life of simplicity. The urna, a tuft of hair between the eyebrows, and the ushnisha, a protuberance on the crown of the head, are characteristic marks of a Buddha, symbolizing his wisdom and spiritual perception. The calm, compassionate gaze of his eyes seems to pierce through the veil of illusion, inviting the viewer to contemplate the nature of reality and the path to liberation. The intricate patterns adorning his robes speak of the richness and complexity of the Dharma, the teachings he imparted.

A Heritage of Devotion

Nepal has long been a spiritual nexus, a birthplace of sacred art and a sanctuary for Buddhist pilgrims. The creation of such a statue is not merely an act of craftsmanship but a devotional practice, imbued with the prayers and intentions of the artisan. The copper base provides a strong foundation, representing the Earth, while the gold overlay signifies purity, spiritual light, and the preciousness of the teachings. According to Buddhist lore, when the Buddha achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, the earth trembled with joy. This statue, with its grounding in copper and its radiant golden form, echoes that primordial celebration of awakening. It is believed that bringing such an image into one's home can foster an environment of peace, mindfulness, and spiritual growth, inviting the blessings of the enlightened one into daily life.

An Object of Contemplation and Beauty

This remarkable statue is more than just a decorative item; it is a focal point for meditation, a reminder of the Buddha's teachings, and a symbol of ultimate peace. Whether placed in a home altar, a meditation space, or a living area, its presence is sure to inspire contemplation and elevate the spirit. The quality of the craftsmanship, from the delicate rendering of the facial features to the meticulous embellishments on the robes and the lotus pedestal, showcases the skill of Nepalese artisans. The lotus base itself is a potent symbol in Buddhism, representing purity, enlightenment, and the ability to rise above the mud of worldly desires to blossom into a state of spiritual awareness. This statue serves as a tangible connection to the profound wisdom and compassionate presence of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha, offering a timeless source of inspiration and solace.

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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