18" Chenrezig (Four Armed Avalokiteshvara) From Nepal

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18" Chenrezig (Four Armed Avalokiteshvara) From Nepal

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Name: 18" Chenrezig (Four Armed Avalokiteshvara) From Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIU281
Price: 4015.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$3764.25

$5019

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Holding the Chintamani- the wish-fulfilling jewel between his joined palms, dressed in divine attire, seated on a Padmasana (lotus throne) is Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig in this Nepalese gilded copper statue. The Bodhisattva sits tranquilly in the pose of meditation, with a five-pronged crown framing his heavenly countenance. Chenrezig’s enlightened wisdom shines on his face in the form of the white jewel studded between his eyebrows. With a beautiful smile swept across his face, Avalokiteshvara stirs and calms the mind, simultaneously.

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Specifications

	MIU281
	COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
	Height: 18 inch
	Width: 12.5 inch
	Depth: 8 inch
	Weight 8 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.

Embodying Compassion: The Four-Armed Chenrezig

This exquisite statue captures the profound essence of Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, a central figure in Buddhist tradition. Revered as the embodiment of all the Buddhas' compassion, Chenrezig is the patron deity of Tibet, and the Dalai Lama is considered his earthly emanation. The name "Chenrezig" itself translates to "One Who Looks with Unwavering Eyes," a testament to his boundless gaze of love and understanding for all sentient beings. The artistic mastery evident in this creation transports the viewer to the spiritual heartlands of Nepal, a region renowned for its skilled artisans who have preserved ancient metalworking techniques for centuries. Crafted from copper and meticulously gilded with radiant gold, this representation of Chenrezig exudes an aura of divine luminosity. The smooth, polished surface reflects light, symbolizing the inner radiance of enlightenment and the purity of compassion.

The Iconography of Boundless Mercy

The four arms of Chenrezig are symbolically significant. The two primary hands are held at the heart in a gesture of prayer (Anjali Mudra), signifying reverence and the union of wisdom and method. In his upper right hand, he holds a crystal mala, representing the continuous recitation of mantras and the spiritual journey towards liberation. His upper left hand cradles a lotus flower, a symbol of purity and the blossoming of enlightenment from the muddy depths of samsara. The serene expression on his face, with eyes half-closed in meditation and a gentle smile, conveys an infinite wellspring of kindness and peace. The intricate details adorning the statue, from the elaborate crown adorned with precious stones to the finely etched patterns on his robes and the lotus throne, are a testament to the dedication and skill of the craftspeople. These elements are not merely decorative; they are imbued with meaning. The lotus, a universal symbol of purity and spiritual awakening, grounds Chenrezig as he sits in meditation, demonstrating that enlightenment can arise even from the most challenging circumstances. The vibrant, jewel-like inlays in the crown and garments further enhance the statue's sacred aura, representing the multifaceted nature of wisdom and the preciousness of the teachings.

A Legacy of Devotion

This statue is more than a beautiful object; it is a conduit for devotion and a source of inspiration. In Tibetan Buddhism, the practice of visualizing Chenrezig and reciting his mantra, "Om Mani Padme Hum," is a cornerstone of cultivating compassion and wisdom within oneself and for others. Having such a powerful representation in one's home or meditation space can serve as a constant reminder of the importance of kindness, empathy, and the aspiration to alleviate the suffering of all beings. This piece, originating from Nepal, carries with it the spiritual heritage of generations, offering a tangible connection to a timeless tradition of love and boundless compassion.

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.