9" Chenrezig (Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara) Statue from Nepal | Copper Idol with Gold Plated

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9" Chenrezig (Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara) Statue from Nepal | Copper Idol with Gold Plated

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$250.50

$334

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Avalokiteshvara, in his four-armed form, epitomizes boundless compassion. Resplendent in white, his first two hands are joined in a gesture at his heart, signifying his commitment to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to protect all sentient beings from suffering. Clutched within these hands is a wish-fulfilling jewel, symbolizing Avalokiteshvara's compassionate Bodhichitta, the aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all.

Chenrezig's left-hand clutches the stem of a blue Utpala flower, embodying his compassionate Bodhichitta motivation. This Utpala flower is not just in full bloom but also adorned with two buds, symbolizing the encompassing nature of his compassionate wisdom across the three temporal dimensions: past, present, and future.

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Specifications

	MIS626
	Copper with Gold Plated
	Height: 9 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 3 inch
	Weight 1.40 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.

Embodiment of Compassion: The Four-Armed Chenrezig

This exquisite statue portrays Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, also known as Avalokiteshvara. Revered across Buddhist traditions, Chenrezig embodies the boundless loving-kindness and mercy of all Buddhas. His name, "Chenrezig" in Tibetan, translates to "One Who Looks with Unwavering Eyes," signifying his perpetual gaze of compassion upon all sentient beings. This representation, crafted from copper with a luxurious gold plating, captures the divine grace and profound serenity associated with this beloved deity.

A Multifaceted Vision of Benevolence

The four arms of Chenrezig depicted here hold deep symbolic meaning. The two primary hands are joined in the gesture of anjali mudra, the prayer or offering gesture, signifying devotion and respect. The upper right hand typically holds a wish-fulfilling jewel, representing the aspiration to bring happiness and well-being to others. The upper left hand often cradles a lotus flower, symbolizing purity and the potential for enlightenment. In some traditions, he may hold a mala (prayer beads) or a vase of nectar. These attributes collectively convey his commitment to alleviating suffering and guiding beings towards liberation. His serene countenance, adorned with a crown and intricate jewelry, reflects his enlightened state and regal presence.

Crafted in the Heart of the Himalayas

Hailing from Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual tradition and artistic heritage, this statue is a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of Nepalese artisans. The use of copper provides a durable and resonant base for the intricate details, while the gold plating imbues the deity with a radiant glow, befitting his divine status. The rich coloration and fine detailing of the ornaments, robes, and facial features are characteristic of the high quality and devotional fervor poured into such sacred art. The lotus base upon which Chenrezig sits further elevates his divine stature, symbolizing his purity and transcendence above the worldly realm.

The Legend of the Weeping Bodhisattva

According to legend, Chenrezig's compassion was so profound that he wept tears of empathy for the suffering of all beings. One tear from his eye fell to the earth and transformed into a lake, while another rose to the heavens. His vow to liberate all sentient beings from suffering is an ongoing commitment, and devotion to him is believed to invoke his blessings and protection. This statue serves as a tangible reminder of this powerful promise and an object of meditation and prayer for those seeking solace, guidance, and the cultivation of their own compassionate nature. Invoking Chenrezig through devotion is believed to purify negative karma, overcome obstacles, and foster inner peace and wisdom.

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.