19" Buddhist Deity Manjushri Copper Sculpture | Statue from Nepal

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19" Buddhist Deity Manjushri Copper Sculpture | Statue from Nepal

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Name: 19" Buddhist Deity Manjushri Copper Sculpture | Statue from Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: CAA216
Price: 1080.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1012.50

$1350

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Manjushri, an embodiment of wisdom as a Bodhisattva, stands alongside Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani as a guardian within the trinity of family protectors. His essence mirrors wisdom, as echoed by his mantra. His mantra is not only a chant but also a symbol of wisdom itself. His right-hand grasps a sword with determination, a representation of his ability to cut through the veils of illusion.

His left hand, embracing the stem of a lotus, carries a book—the Prajnaparamita or Perfection of Wisdom teaching. Seated on a lotus throne, Manjushri draws a parallel with the lotus's unstained purity in muddy waters, reflecting wisdom's transcendence over delusion.

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Specifications

	CAA216
	Copper With Gold
	Height: 19 inch
	Width: 14.5 inch
	Depth: 10 inch
	Weight 7.80 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.

Embodiment of Wisdom and Enlightenment

This magnificent sculpture captures the serene yet powerful presence of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Crafted in Nepal with exceptional artistry, this deity embodies the Buddha's profound understanding and the dispelling of ignorance. Manjushri, whose name translates to "Gentle Glory," is revered as the celestial patron of scholars, the patron of the learned, and the dispeller of darkness through his wisdom. In Buddhist lore, he is often depicted as a youthful prince, radiant with inner light, who guides beings towards enlightenment.

Symbolism and Iconography

The sculpture's exquisite details convey deep symbolic meaning. Manjushri is depicted here seated in the lotus posture, a symbol of purity and spiritual detachment. In his raised right hand, he brandishes a blazing sword, representing the sharp edge of wisdom that cuts through the veil of illusion and ignorance. This powerful attribute is said to sever the roots of delusion, doubt, and spiritual confusion. In his left hand, he holds the stem of a lotus flower, upon which rests a Prajnaparamita sutra (a collection of wisdom literature). This signifies that wisdom is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a living, breathing reality that nourishes the spiritual journey. His serene facial expression, with eyes that seem to gaze into the infinite, reflects a state of profound peace and unwavering compassion. The ornate crown and jewels adorning him speak to his divine status and the preciousness of true knowledge.

Artistry and Craftsmanship

This statue is a testament to the rich artistic heritage of Nepal. Rendered in copper and adorned with accents of gold, the sculpture possesses a captivating luminescence. The skilled artisans have meticulously detailed every aspect, from the flowing robes and intricate jewelry to the delicate features of Manjushri's face. The contrast between the rich bronze tones and the gleaming gold creates a visually stunning effect, enhancing the divine aura of the deity. The base upon which Manjushri sits is a tiered lotus pedestal, a common and auspicious element in Buddhist iconography, symbolizing the unfolding of spiritual awareness. The subtle engravings and embellishments on the robes and base add further depth and texture, showcasing the mastery of traditional metalwork techniques passed down through generations. This piece is not merely a statue but a sacred artifact designed to inspire contemplation and devotion, serving as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of wisdom in overcoming life's challenges.

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.