Holding the power of
supreme enlightened wisdom in his hand as the flaming sword and the eternal
brilliance of Buddha as the Chintamani or wish-fulfilling gem, Bodhisattva Manjushri
in this Nepalese statue is the picture of the glorious quickness of the deity
in protecting his devotees. Linked with the sweetness that is experiential,
Manjushri is draped in heavenly garments, and exquisite ornaments and carries
mesmerizing pleasantness on his face. With movement in his raised hand and stillness
in his body, Manjushri in this icon is a pristine example of the Nepalese art.
Manjushri: Embodiment of Transcendent Wisdom
This exquisite statue captures the essence of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism. Revered for his profound understanding and ability to dispel ignorance, Manjushri is depicted here with a serene yet commanding presence. His form is rendered in high-quality copper, lavishly gold-plated, imbuing the statue with a celestial glow that reflects his divine wisdom and purity. This magnificent piece is a testament to the rich artistic traditions of Nepal, where such sacred sculptures have been meticulously crafted for centuries.
––––––––––Symbolism and Iconography
In his right hand, Manjushri brandishes the flaming sword of wisdom, representing his power to sever through ignorance, delusion, and attachment. This potent symbol is a reminder that true enlightenment comes from cutting through the veils of misconception. In his left hand, he holds the stem of a lotus flower, symbolizing the purity of his enlightened mind and the blossoming of wisdom. The lotus, rooted in the mud but unfolding its petals to the sun, mirrors the spiritual journey of transcending the worldly realm to achieve liberation. He is adorned with intricate royal ornaments and a jewel-encrusted crown, signifying his status as a celestial prince of wisdom and his ultimate attainment of Buddhahood. His posture, seated in the lotus position (Padmasana) on a lotus throne, signifies his spiritual perfection and equanimity. The ornate base, also gold-plated, provides a stable and majestic foundation for this revered deity.
––––––––––Cultural Significance and Devotional Practice
Manjushri is particularly venerated for his role in cultivating intellectual prowess, clarity of thought, and sharp discernment. Buddhist scriptures often narrate tales of Manjushri appearing to great scholars and yogis, bestowing upon them insights and understanding. He is invoked by students, artists, and anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge and overcome mental obstacles. The creation of such statues is not merely an artistic endeavor but a profound act of devotion and dedication. Each detail, from the serene expression to the powerful symbolism, is imbued with spiritual intention, making this idol a focal point for meditation and prayer, inviting blessings of wisdom and clarity into the lives of devotees. Its substantial size and opulent finish make it a commanding presence in any sacred space, inspiring awe and contemplation.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.
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