It is the skill and
dedication of Indian artists that enable them to faithfully capture the essence
of ancient history and the aura of the divine in their creations, imbuing each
piece with such beauty that the heart submits to the creator before it can give
thanks to the god. The traditional imagery of the Buddha has been painstakingly
and flawlessly rendered in this incredibly lifelike copper statue of the
Enlightened One. Buddha rests in Bhumisparsha mudra on a lotus seat with
exquisite carvings, his eyes half closed in peaceful meditation, a pose that
reminds his victory over the armies of Mara and a declaration of his
enlightenment by Mother Earth, who becomes a witness to it.
A masterwork worth owning, this copper statue
captures the appealing peacefulness on his face and the delicateness of his
Chivara (monk's outfit) with amazing accuracy.
The Awakened One: Embodiment of Enlightenment
This exquisite copper figurine captures the serene presence of Lord Buddha in a pose of profound significance. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, it embodies the spiritual essence of Buddhism, offering a tangible connection to the path of enlightenment. The rich, earthy tones of the copper lend a timeless quality to the artwork, evoking a sense of ancient wisdom and enduring peace. Every curve of the Buddha's form, from the tranquil countenance to the flowing robes, speaks of a deep inner stillness and unwavering compassion.
––––––––––The Bhumisparsha Mudra: Witness to Enlightenment
The posture depicted is the Bhumisparsha Mudra, often referred to as the "earth-touching" gesture. This sacred mudra holds immense mythological importance. According to Buddhist lore, it was during this very posture that Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Legend has it that Mara, the demon king, attempted to disrupt his meditation, questioning his right to enlightenment. In response, the Buddha extended his right hand to touch the earth, calling upon the Earth Goddess, Bhumi, as his witness. The earth trembled, affirming his spiritual victory and the culmination of his arduous journey towards Buddhahood. This mudra symbolizes the Buddha's strength, his unwavering resolve, and the ultimate triumph of truth and wisdom over ignorance and illusion. It serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for awakening within all beings.
––––––––––Artistry from the Himalayas
Originating from the skilled hands of Nepalese artisans, this figurine is a testament to generations of artistic tradition. The intricate carving of the robes, adorned with delicate patterns, and the serene expression on the Buddha's face are characteristic of the high standards of craftsmanship found in the Himalayan region. The use of copper, a metal revered for its purity and conductive properties, further enhances the spiritual resonance of the piece. This artwork is not merely an object of devotion but a masterpiece that carries the spirit and cultural heritage of a deeply spiritual land. It is an heirloom piece, designed to inspire contemplation and bring a sense of peace to any space it graces.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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