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8" Shakyamuni Buddha Gilded Copper Statue from Nepal

$712.50
$950
25% off
Includes any tariffs and taxes

A statue of Buddha is the supreme source of wisdom and light of enlightenment in the space of a practitioner of Buddhism. Seeing and meditating with the Buddha statute causes one to realize the Buddha within. Mirroring the illustrious life of Tathagata is the only easy path to His wisdom. This gilded copper statue from Nepal brings to the believer, a divine and mesmerizing form of the Buddha. On his Padmasana or lotus throne, Buddha sits tranquility, wrapped in Cheevara or monk’s garbs which are beautified by fine etchings.

 

A youthfulness is conveyed in the expressions and features of Buddha, who calmly smiles, with his eyes brimming with the light of Bodhi. Carrying the alms bowl in one hand, Buddha dangles his right hand to the ground, in the popular Bhumisparsha mudra- “Earth touching gesture”, where he calls upon the Earth mother to be a witness to his Enlightenment.

Specifications
MIU261
COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
Height: 8.5 inch
Width: 6.5 inch
Depth: 4 inch
Weight 1.30 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 15 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 Gilded Vision of Enlightenment

This exquisite statue captures the serene presence of Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, in a posture of deep meditation. Crafted from robust copper and meticulously gilded with pure gold, this piece radiates a divine luminescence, embodying the enlightened mind and the path to spiritual awakening. The intricate detailing speaks to the profound skill of Nepalese artisans, whose lineage of craftsmanship has honored Buddhist traditions for centuries. The Buddha is depicted in the classic lotus position, a symbol of purity and spiritual growth, with his hands resting in his lap in the Dhyana Mudra, the gesture of meditation. His serene facial expression, with downcast eyes and a gentle smile, conveys a profound sense of peace, compassion, and inner wisdom. The robe, draped elegantly over his shoulder, is adorned with delicate patterns, hinting at the rich textures and symbolic meanings found in Buddhist iconography. The black, curly hair and the urna, a spiral mark on his forehead symbolizing his foresight, are characteristic features that identify him as the historical Buddha. The base on which the Buddha sits is equally impressive. It is a multi-tiered lotus throne, a common motif in Buddhist art representing the unfolding of consciousness. The petals are rendered with a lifelike quality, and the entire base is embellished with fine scrollwork and auspicious motifs, adding to the statue's spiritual aura and artistic value. According to Buddhist lore, Shakyamuni Buddha, born Siddhartha Gautama, attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree after years of ascetic practices. His teachings, the Dharma, have guided countless beings towards liberation from suffering. This statue serves not only as a beautiful object of art but also as a powerful reminder of the Buddha's journey and the potential for enlightenment within all beings. In many cultures, gold symbolizes purity, divinity, and prosperity, making the gilded finish a fitting tribute to the Buddha's illuminated state.

A Touch of Nepalese Sacred Artistry

Originating from Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual heritage and renowned for its exquisite metalwork, this statue is a testament to the enduring power of Buddhist art. Nepalese artisans have a long and revered tradition of creating sacred objects, drawing inspiration from ancient texts and devotional practices. Each statue is a labor of love, imbued with the intention of fostering peace, mindfulness, and spiritual connection. Displaying this statue in your home or meditation space can create an atmosphere of tranquility and serve as a focal point for your spiritual practice, inviting the blessings and wisdom of the Awakened One 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.
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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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