3'' Lord Shakyamuni Buddha (Tibetan Ghau) From Nepal | Copper Gilded With Gold

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3'' Lord Shakyamuni Buddha (Tibetan Ghau) From Nepal | Copper Gilded With Gold

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$816

$1088

25% off

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Specifications

	MIW521
	Copper Gilded With Gold
	Height: 3.5 inch
	Width: 3 inch
	Depth: 2 inch
	Weight 120 gm

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.

A Gilded Beacon of Enlightenment

This exquisite devotional piece captures the serene essence of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha, the awakened one, in a compact form originating from the spiritually rich land of Nepal. Crafted with devotion and skill, the statue is cast in copper and lavishly gilded with gold, imbuing it with a celestial radiance that reflects the Buddha's inner luminosity. The intricate detailing, from the gentle curve of his lips to the flowing folds of his monastic robes, speaks to the masterful artistry of Nepalese craftsmen who have preserved these sacred traditions for centuries. The posture depicted is one of profound meditation and inner peace. The Buddha's hands are held in the Bhumisparsha Mudra, the earth-touching gesture. Legend has it that when the Buddha was meditating under the Bodhi tree, he was tempted by the demon Mara, who sent his daughters to seduce him. The Buddha remained unmoved, extending his right hand to touch the earth, calling upon the earth itself to bear witness to his purity and enlightenment. This gesture signifies his steadfastness, his triumph over worldly temptations, and his connection to the grounding energy of the earth. This particular representation is often found in Tibetan Ghau boxes, which are portable shrines designed to hold sacred images and relics. These Ghau, often worn around the neck or carried during pilgrimages, serve as personal sanctuaries, carrying the blessings of the divine wherever one goes. The presence of the loops on the sides of this piece suggests its heritage as a Ghau, making it not just a beautiful object but also a functional item of spiritual practice. The gilded surface catches the light, creating a warm, inviting glow that draws the viewer into a state of contemplation. The delicate ornamentation surrounding the Buddha's head, reminiscent of a halo or a stylized flame, further emphasizes his spiritual awakening and the boundless light of wisdom he attained. The lotus base upon which he sits is a potent symbol in Buddhism, representing purity, enlightenment, and rebirth, as the lotus flower blooms beautifully from muddy waters, untouched by the mire. This statue, a testament to the enduring power of faith and artistry, offers a tangible connection to the path of enlightenment, inviting peace and mindfulness into your life.

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.