7" Crown Buddha Preaching His Dharma From Nepal

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7" Crown Buddha Preaching His Dharma From Nepal

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$548.25

$731

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Specifications

	WSA025
	Copper
	Height: 7.5 inch
	Width: 6.5 inch
	Depth: 7.5 inch
	Weight 1.22 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Ships in 1-3 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 Crowned Enlightenment from the Roof of the World

This exquisite copper statue, hailing from the serene heights of Nepal, depicts a crowned Buddha, a rare and profound representation of the Enlightened One. Unlike the more common depictions of the Shakyamuni Buddha in his ascetic robes, this regal form signifies his sovereignty over the dharma, his supreme understanding and mastery of the cosmic laws and ethical principles that govern existence. The serene expression, the downcast eyes that speak of deep introspection, and the gentle gesture of his hands all converge to radiate an aura of profound peace and wisdom. The intricate detailing of this sculpture is a testament to the artisanal skill of Nepalese craftsmen. The rich copper has been meticulously shaped to capture every nuance of the Buddha's form, from the subtle folds of his robes to the delicate ornamentation adorning his crown and body. The crown itself, a symbol of his spiritual royalty, is richly embellished, suggesting his dominion over the spiritual realm. Turquoise accents, precious and believed to offer protection and enhance communication, are strategically placed, adding vibrant pops of color and reinforcing the sacred nature of the deity.

The Iconography of Sovereignty and Wisdom

The crowned Buddha is not merely a decorative element; it carries deep symbolic meaning within Buddhist traditions, particularly in Tibetan Buddhism. In some narratives, the crown signifies the Buddha's victory over ignorance and attachment, his ascension to a state of ultimate awareness and freedom. It can also represent the Bodhisattva nature, where compassion leads one to continue to manifest in the world for the benefit of all sentient beings, even after achieving enlightenment. The gesture of his hands, though not explicitly defined in the traditional mudras, appears to be one of offering or bestowing blessings, inviting devotion and contemplation from the viewer. The small vessel held in his lower hand might represent a bowl of alms, a reminder of his ascetic past, or it could symbolize the nectar of dharma, the spiritual sustenance he offers to the world.

A Legacy of Artistry and Spirituality

Nepal has long been a cradle of Buddhist art and philosophy, with monasteries and workshops producing sacred objects for centuries. This statue is a continuation of that rich heritage. The use of copper, a revered metal in many spiritual traditions, adds to its value and longevity. The skilled casting and finishing techniques employed ensure that this piece is not just a religious icon but also a work of art that can grace any altar, meditation space, or home decor with its spiritual presence and aesthetic beauty. It serves as a powerful reminder of the path to enlightenment and the profound wisdom that awaits those who seek it.

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.