13" Shakyamuni Buddha Copper Statue from Nepal | Buddhist Deity Idols

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13" Shakyamuni Buddha Copper Statue from Nepal | Buddhist Deity Idols

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$431.25

$575

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Shakyamuni Buddha also known as Gautama Buddha, is considered to be the founder of the Buddhist religion. Shakyamuni Buddha's right hand extends downward to touch the earth, symbolizing the pivotal moment when he called upon the earth to bear witness to his transcendence of Mara, the supreme deity of the samsaric world, who attempted to divert him from his meditation.

Shakyamuni's features include a distinctive dot, known as the urna (a curl of hair), between his eyebrows, and his neck adorned with three horizontal lines. His extended earlobes represent Buddha's former princely status.

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Specifications

	MIS735
	Copper with Gold Plated
	Height: 13 inch
	Width: 8.5 inch
	Depth: 6 inch
	Weight 3 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 6 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 Embodiment of Enlightenment

This exquisite statue captures the serene presence of Shakyamuni Buddha, the awakened one, who ascended to enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Crafted in Nepal, a land steeped in Buddhist tradition and artistic heritage, this deity idol is a testament to centuries of devotion and skilled craftsmanship. The figure is rendered in copper and adorned with a lustrous gold plating, imbuing it with a radiant aura that speaks of spiritual purity and divine grace. The posture of the Buddha, seated in a meditative pose with his legs crossed and hands resting in his lap, signifies profound inner peace and stability. His right hand is extended downwards, palm open, in the Bhumisparsha Mudra, the earth-touching gesture. This pose is a powerful reminder of Buddha's victory over Mara, the demon who sought to disrupt his meditation. By calling the earth as witness, Shakyamuni affirmed his attainment of enlightenment and the profound truths he had realized.

Artistry and Symbolism

The rich copper forms the base of this magnificent sculpture, providing a solid foundation that symbolizes the grounded nature of the teachings. The intricate gold plating, meticulously applied, enhances the divine beauty of the Buddha. His robes are draped with elegant folds, detailed with subtle yet striking patterns that catch the light, suggesting the celestial garments worn by enlightened beings. The urna, the curl of hair between the eyebrows, and the ushnisha, the cranial protuberance, are all rendered with precision, marking the physical attributes of a fully enlightened Buddha. The serene expression on his face, with downcast eyes and gently curved lips, conveys an immeasurable sense of compassion and wisdom, inviting contemplation and inner reflection.

A Sacred Icon for Devotion and Inspiration

Originating from Nepal, a region that has been a cradle of Mahayana Buddhism, this statue is not merely an object of art but a sacred conduit for spiritual practice. The Nepalese tradition of metal casting, particularly in the creation of Buddhist deities, is renowned for its depth and spiritual resonance. Each element of the sculpture, from the posture to the finest detailing, is imbued with meaning. This Shakyamuni Buddha statue serves as a focal point for meditation, prayer, and the cultivation of virtues such as mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom, echoing the very path Shakyamuni himself walked and illuminated for all beings. It is an heirloom quality piece that can bring peace and a sense of sacredness to any space.

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.