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14" Shakyamuni Buddha Idol From Nepal | Copper Statue with Gold Finish

$2029.50
$2706
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Crafted from lustrous copper adorned with a gold finish, the Shakyamuni Buddha statue radiates an aura of tranquility and celestial elegance. With eyes gently half-closed, the figure is portrayed in the Bhumisparsha mudra, an embodiment of profound meditation and serenity. Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings, ranging from sutras to tantras, were thoughtfully tailored to cater to the diverse intellects of his disciples. His left hand gracefully touches the earth, a symbolic gesture denoting his conquest over worldly desires and distractions. The meticulously depicted curls that grace his head are accentuated by a tasteful touch of ebony hues. The intricately rendered facial features capture a remarkable depth of detail. This captivating Buddha statue, when situated in any environment, has the potential to instill a heightened sense of inner peace.

Specifications
MIS508
Copper with Gold Plated
Height: 14 inch
Width: 9 inch
Depth: 6 inch
Weight 4.50 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Ships in 1-3 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.

A Glimpse of Enlightenment: The Shakyamuni Buddha of Nepal

This magnificent statue captures the serene essence of Shakyamuni Buddha, the awakened one, in a posture of profound meditation and wisdom. Crafted with exquisite detail in Nepal, a land steeped in Buddhist tradition, this idol is a testament to the enduring artistry and spiritual devotion of its creators. The substantial copper core provides a grounded presence, while the lustrous gold finish elevates the piece, imbuing it with a divine radiance that reflects the enlightenment sought by Siddhartha Gautama. The posture of the Buddha, seated in padmasana (lotus posture), symbolizes purity, spiritual discipline, and freedom from worldly desires. His right hand, extended downwards and touching the earth, signifies the Earth-touching gesture, or Bhumisparsha Mudra. This powerful gesture recalls the moment of his enlightenment, when he called upon the earth itself to witness his victory over Mara, the demon who tempted him with earthly pleasures and fears. The earth, in response, shuddered, affirming his claim to enlightenment. This mudra represents steadfastness, the ultimate renunciation of illusion, and the realization of truth. His left hand rests in his lap, palm upwards, holding a begging bowl, a symbol of his humility and the monastic life he embraced.

Craftsmanship and Symbolism

The intricate patterns adorning the robes and the base of the statue are not mere decorative elements but carry deep symbolic meaning. The swirling motifs and floral designs often represent the cyclical nature of existence, the unfolding of karma, and the beauty of the natural world that the Buddha sought to understand and transcend. The serene expression on the Buddha's face, with its downcast eyes and gentle smile, conveys a sense of inner peace, compassion, and boundless wisdom. The urna, the swirl of hair on his forehead, is a mark of spiritual perception, and the ushnisha, the cranial protuberance, signifies his elevated consciousness. Each detail, from the delicate curvature of his ears to the subtle folds of his garments, is rendered with the precision and reverence characteristic of Nepalese Buddhist art. Such statues are not merely decorative objects; they serve as focal points for meditation, prayer, and contemplation, inviting viewers to reflect on the Buddha's teachings of impermanence, suffering, and the path to liberation. They are conduits of spiritual energy, bringing a sense of tranquility and mindfulness into any space they inhabit. This piece, originating from Nepal, carries the echoes of the Himalayas, where many great masters meditated and attained enlightenment, making it a truly authentic representation of Buddhist heritage.

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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