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20" Shakyamuni Buddha From Nepal

$2166
$2888
25% off
Includes any tariffs and taxes
Only 1 available

Crowned Buddha in the artistic tradition of Buddhism is the visual exaltation of the Enlightened One, as the supreme one who reigns over the universe, the pinnacle of the ideal of Chakravartin, who has emerged victorious not with the might of his sword, but with the gentle roar of Dhamma. Buddha as the Universal ruler is enthroned on the double-layered lotus seat of Vishvapadmasana which is exquisitely delinated in this statue from Nepal. Tasteful ornaments and a delicate dhoti in silver adorn the divine form of Buddha, enhancing his aura. An imposing crown on his head and a perfectly curving scarf forming an aureole behind him, add to this Buddha statue an additional touch of grandeur. Serenity flows from Buddha's glistening countenance, which is animated by his meditative eyes, shimmering Chintamani on the forehead, and lotus-petal-like lips. Invoking the earth as the witness of his enlightenment with Bhumisparsha mudra and carrying an alms bowl in his hand placed in Dhyana mudra, Buddha underlines the key to rising above the murky waters of existence- severing ties with worldly desires and following the path laid by Tathagata, so that one can mirror the life of the celestial Chakravartin. 

Specifications
NLH045
Copper With Gold
Height: 20 inch
Width: 13.5 inch
Depth: 10 inch
Weight 9.50 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 6 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 Vision of Enlightenment: Shakyamuni Buddha in Nepalese Craftsmanship

This magnificent statue captures the serene and profound presence of Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, in a form that embodies both spiritual depth and exquisite artistic detail. Hailing from Nepal, a land steeped in Buddhist tradition and renowned for its master artisans, this representation of the Awakened One is crafted from copper and adorned with gold, a combination that signifies purity, royalty, and divine radiance. The sculpture portrays the Buddha in a meditative posture, seated upon a richly ornamented lotus throne. The lotus, a potent symbol in Buddhist iconography, represents purity and enlightenment, growing from the muddy depths to bloom in the clear light of understanding. Each petal is meticulously rendered, showcasing the skill and dedication of the Nepalese craftsmen who have passed down their artistry through generations. The Buddha's face is cast in a golden hue, emanating a soft glow that suggests inner peace and boundless compassion. His eyes are gently downcast, a posture of contemplation, yet they hold an immense depth of wisdom and understanding.

Adorned in Royal Majesty and Divine Grace

This representation of Shakyamuni Buddha is not just a depiction of spiritual attainment but also a testament to the opulent aesthetic traditions of Himalayan Buddhism. The Buddha is adorned with a regal crown and elaborate jewelry, reflecting the belief that Siddhartha Gautama was a prince before his renunciation. The crown, intricately detailed with precious stones, symbolizes his supreme sovereignty over the spiritual realm. The necklaces and armbands are equally ornate, each element carefully crafted to enhance the divine aura of the figure. These adornments speak to the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, where Buddhas are often depicted in their celestial forms, adorned as kings to signify their ultimate spiritual royalty and the richness of their enlightenment. The halo behind the Buddha, rendered in a contrasting silver tone, further amplifies his luminous presence. It signifies the boundless light of his wisdom and compassion, radiating outwards to illuminate the world. The interplay of copper, gold, and silver in this piece creates a captivating visual harmony, each material contributing to the overall sense of sacred grandeur. The statue is a powerful embodiment of the Buddha's teachings – the path to liberation, the eradication of suffering, and the attainment of ultimate peace. It serves as a focal point for meditation, a reminder of the potential for enlightenment within all beings, and a sacred object to inspire devotion 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.
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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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