9" Buddhist Deity Shakyamuni Buddha Copper Idol | Nepalese Copper Statue

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9" Buddhist Deity Shakyamuni Buddha Copper Idol | Nepalese Copper Statue

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Name: 9" Buddhist Deity Shakyamuni Buddha Copper Idol | Nepalese Copper Statue
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: CAA213
Price: 1825.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1710.75

$2281

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

This early Tibetan Buddha statue showcases a robust physique reminiscent of the artistic style prevalent during North India's post-Gupta period. However, pinpointing its exact identity poses a challenge. The bhumisparsha mudra (earth-touching gesture), executed by the right hand in this Buddha portrayal, is most commonly linked to Shakyamuni, the Historical Buddha. This gesture signifies his triumph over the malevolent Mara, who attempted to disrupt his meditation and path to enlightenment.

The positioning of the Buddha's other hand, with the thumb and middle finger pressed together in a unique gesture, diverges from the Historical Buddha's iconography. This divergence could potentially align the sculpture with Akshobhya, adding another layer of intrigue to its identity.

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Specifications

	CAA213
	Copper With Gold
	Height: 9 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1.80 kg

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.

The Embodiment of Enlightenment: Shakyamuni Buddha in Glorious Copper

This exquisite copper idol captures the serene and benevolent visage of Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Crafted with meticulous detail in Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual traditions, this statue embodies a profound sense of peace and wisdom. The figure is seated in the traditional lotus posture (padmasana), a symbol of spiritual purity and detachment, with the right hand resting on the right knee, fingers pointing downwards in the Bhumisparsha Mudra. This gesture, meaning "earth-touching," signifies the moment of enlightenment when Buddha called upon the earth as his witness to overcome the temptations of Mara. His left hand rests in his lap, palm upwards, cradling a medicine bowl, representing healing and the dispelling of suffering.

Artistry and Symbolism in Every Detail

The artistry evident in this statue is truly remarkable. The copper has been skillfully worked and adorned with accents of gold, lending it a radiant aura. The Buddha's robes are richly textured and intricately carved with swirling patterns, suggesting the flow of cosmic energy and the depth of his teachings. The body of the statue is rendered with graceful lines, conveying a sense of lightness and ethereal presence. His urna, the traditional dot between the eyebrows, is a symbol of his divine insight, and his elongated earlobes speak to his princely heritage before renouncing worldly possessions for spiritual enlightenment. The cranial protuberance, or ushnisha, signifies his superior wisdom and enlightenment. The delicate inlay of turquoise and carnelian gemstones on his robes and adornments adds a touch of vibrant color and symbolic meaning. Turquoise, often associated with healing and protection, and carnelian, symbolizing courage and vitality, further enhance the spiritual potency of the idol.

A Legacy of Spiritual Devotion

The creation of such sacred imagery is a profound act of devotion in Nepalese Buddhist tradition. These statues are not merely decorative objects but serve as focal points for meditation, prayer, and contemplation. They are believed to radiate positive energy and to connect the devotee with the spiritual essence of the Buddha. In Nepalese culture, copper is considered a sacred metal, often used in religious artifacts due to its purity and conductive properties, believed to facilitate the transmission of spiritual energy. The tradition of creating such masterful sculptures has been passed down through generations, preserving ancient techniques and artistic styles. Owning this Shakyamuni Buddha idol is to invite a tangible connection to centuries of spiritual practice and to embrace the path of wisdom, compassion, and inner peace that he so beautifully represents. It is a timeless piece that resonates with profound spiritual significance and exquisite craftsmanship.

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.