9" Colorful Manjushri Copper Statue from Nepal - Buddha of Infinite Wisdom

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9" Colorful Manjushri Copper Statue from Nepal - Buddha of Infinite Wisdom

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$534.75

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The term "Manjushri" translates to "Sweet Splendor" or "Gentle Glory," and he is among the revered eight great Bodhisattvas. Manjushri is depicted wielding a flaming sword in his right hand and holding a lotus in his left, upon which rests the Prajnaparamita, a treatise on Transcendental Wisdom.

The sword's purpose is to cut through the clouds of ignorance and delve into the deepest realms of Buddhist philosophy, dispelling uncertainties and symbolizing his profound wisdom (Prajna) and intellect. With a youthful and serene face, radiating the orange hue of the rising sun, his right hand loosely extends over his knee, clutching the stem of a blue utpala flower that blooms above his shoulder, supporting a blue upright sword of wisdom emitting fiery tongues from its tip. Cradled close to his heart in his left hand is a folio containing the Prajnaparamita sutra.

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Specifications

	MIT011
	Copper with Gold Plated
	Height: 9 inch
	Width: 8 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1.70 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.

Embodying Transcendent Wisdom

This exquisite copper statue, rendered with meticulous detail and vibrant gold plating, depicts Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. In the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, Manjushri is revered as the embodiment of all Buddhas' wisdom and is often invoked to dispel ignorance, confusion, and delusion. His serene yet powerful presence is captured in this masterful creation from Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual heritage. The statue showcases Manjushri in a seated posture of serene contemplation, poised atop an intricately adorned lotus throne. His posture, known as *vajraparyankasana* or the thunderbolt-like seat, signifies stability and unwavering resolve. His youthful, radiant face is framed by elaborate headdress and ornaments, signifying his noble status. The vibrant orange hue of his skin is said to represent the brilliance of wisdom that illuminates the darkness of ignorance, while the gold plating lends a divine aura, reflecting his exalted spiritual nature.

The Sword of Insight and the Lotus of Purity

Manjushri is famously depicted holding a flaming sword in his right hand, raised as if to strike. This iconic attribute symbolizes the sharpness of wisdom, capable of cutting through the veil of ignorance, misunderstanding, and illusion. The blue hue of this particular sword adds a unique visual dynamism, suggesting the vastness of wisdom that extends like the boundless sky. In his left hand, he holds the stem of a lotus flower, which unfurls to reveal a blossom at his shoulder. The lotus, a potent symbol in Buddhism, represents purity, enlightenment, and the potential for spiritual growth even amidst the muddy waters of existence. This duality – the active cutting away of delusion and the serene unfolding of wisdom – is central to Manjushri's teachings. The base of the statue is a testament to the artisan's skill, featuring a multi-layered design adorned with traditional motifs. The lotus petals, rendered in a spectrum of colors including vibrant pinks, greens, and reds, symbolize the unfolding of spiritual realization. The swirling, cloud-like elements that frame Manjushri's seated form suggest the ethereal nature of spiritual insights, appearing and dissolving like clouds in the sky. The intricate patterns and color palette speak to the rich artistic traditions of Nepal, where craftsmanship and devotion are deeply intertwined.

A Patron of Learning and Clarity

Manjushri's name itself translates to "Gentle Glory." He is not only the patron of scholars and students but also invoked by anyone seeking clarity of thought, insight, and the courage to face life's challenges with wisdom. Tales abound of his interventions, from guiding disciples to overcoming formidable obstacles through intellectual prowess and sharp discernment. He is often depicted as a youthful prince, a reminder that wisdom can be both vibrant and accessible. This statue serves as a powerful focal point for meditation, a reminder to cultivate the qualities of clear perception, intellectual acuity, and the unwavering pursuit of truth. Its presence can inspire a deeper understanding of the self and the world, fostering inner peace and the courage to navigate the complexities of life with enlightened insight.

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.