15" Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara Statue From Nepal

•

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.

15" Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara Statue From Nepal

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

$1242

$1656

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

This enormous 1,000-armed, eleven-headed statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara from Nepal represents the limitless strength and compassion of the deity. It is set on a golden pedestal that combines the poses of the royal Padmasana and Simhasana. The balance between Avalokiteshvara's numerous hands and bodies, the symmetry and unity of his 10 joyous faces, and the magnificent aureole highlight the artisan's expertise in creating this gilded copper statue. The tiny stones that are skillfully set in the lavish jewelry worn by Avalokiteshvara display the refined aesthetics of Nepalese art.

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	MIU275
	COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
	Height: 15 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 2.20 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 15 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.

Embodiment of Boundless Compassion

This magnificent statue is a striking representation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, in his thousand-armed form. Revered across various Mahayana Buddhist traditions, Avalokiteshvara is a figure of immense empathy and wisdom, dedicated to relieving the suffering of all sentient beings. The legend tells of Avalokiteshvara, in his boundless compassion, wishing to help all beings and manifesting with a thousand arms and eleven heads. Each hand is depicted with an eye, symbolizing the all-seeing nature of his wisdom and the capacity to perceive and address every form of suffering. This intricate depiction captures the essence of this powerful deity, radiating an aura of profound peace and spiritual strength.

Artistry from the Himalayas

Crafted in Nepal, a land steeped in rich Buddhist heritage and artistic tradition, this statue is a testament to the skill of its creators. The core material is high-quality copper, meticulously shaped and then gilded with pure gold. This traditional technique not only enhances the visual splendor of the piece, making it gleam with divine light, but also imbues it with a sense of sacredness and permanence. The intricate details of each of the countless hands, the serene faces of the multiple heads, and the flowing robes of the central figure are rendered with exceptional precision. The gilded surface reflects light beautifully, symbolizing the illuminating wisdom of the Bodhisattva, while the red halo behind him signifies his radiant energy and protective power.

A Symbol of Hope and Enlightenment

The thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara is a powerful symbol of universal love, a protector against fear, and a guide on the path to enlightenment. In Buddhist cosmology, he is seen as an active presence in the world, responding to the cries of those in distress. His numerous arms represent his tireless efforts to reach out and offer solace, guidance, and protection. Displaying this statue in your home or meditation space can serve as a constant reminder of the power of compassion, the importance of mindfulness, and the aspiration to alleviate suffering in the world. It is a piece that inspires devotion, contemplation, and a deeper connection to spiritual ideals, bringing an element of sacred beauty and profound meaning into your environment.

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.