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26" Standing Maitreya Buddha Copper Statue from Nepal

$3553.50
$4738
25% off
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Only 1 available

The future Bodhisattva- Maitreya (the friendly one), is the Buddhist divinity on whose unending benevolence his devotees rely. For them, Maitreya is the embodiment of Buddha's promise to salvage them from the unending web worldliness.


In this copper statue of Maitreya from Nepal, the Bodhisattva is in a charming standing posture, wearing a diaphanous robe through which his thin form is highlighted.


With his right hand in the gesture of Varada (giving boon), Maitreya in this statue appears to balance sublimity and a boyish innocence- qualities his mesmerically smiling visage brings out.

Specifications
WSB766
Copper Statue
Height: 26 inch
Width: 8 inch
Depth: 5 inch
Weight 8 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 10 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.

The Ascended Future: A Resplendent Maitreya Buddha

This magnificent standing copper statue from Nepal embodies the serene anticipation of Maitreya Buddha, the future Buddha who will appear on Earth to teach the dharma. Crafted with meticulous detail, the statue stands tall and graceful, a testament to the enduring artistic traditions of Nepalese artisans. Maitreya is a figure of profound hope and compassion, destined to usher in a golden age of peace and enlightenment. In Buddhist cosmology, his arrival signifies a new cycle of teachings, a renewal of the path to liberation for all sentient beings. This particular depiction captures Maitreya in a moment of profound wisdom and accessibility, his gesture a promise of blessings and guidance. ––––––––––––––––––––

Symbolism and Devotion

The posture of the statue is particularly significant. With one hand raised in a gesture of "vitarka mudra" (the gesture of teaching or argument) and the other resting gently at his side, Maitreya appears to be in mid-discourse, sharing the profound truths that will resonate throughout the world in his time. The serene expression, downcast eyes, and subtle smile evoke a sense of inner peace and boundless benevolence. The elaborate crown adorning his head signifies his royal lineage and his eventual spiritual kingship. The fine drapery of his robe falls elegantly, accentuating the perfect proportions of his form, a characteristic often attributed to enlightened beings. The lotus pedestal upon which he stands is a universal symbol of purity, spiritual awakening, and transcendence over the material world. Each petal is delicately rendered, supporting the divine presence of the future Buddha. ––––––––––––––––––––

Nepalese Craftsmanship

Hailing from Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual heritage and renowned for its exquisite metalwork, this statue is a masterpiece of devotional art. The use of copper, a material valued for its conductivity and its ability to develop a rich patina over time, lends a timeless quality to the sculpture. The artists have skillfully captured the essence of Maitreya, infusing the metal with a lifelike vitality. The intricate details, from the delicate curls of hair to the subtle folds of the garment, speak to generations of accumulated knowledge and spiritual devotion. This statue is not merely an object of beauty; it is a conduit for spiritual connection, an invitation to contemplate the future of enlightenment and the enduring power of compassion. It is an heirloom, a piece of living history, designed to inspire contemplation and devotion for generations to come.

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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