•

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.

9" Stupa from Nepal

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

$558

$744

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Before the advent of Buddhism, revered teachers were honored through burial mounds, sometimes in a sitting or meditative posture, reminiscent of the Buddha's Enlightenment. The domed structure of a stupa evolved to symbolize a seated individual, mirroring the Buddha's posture during his realization of the Four Noble Truths.

The stupa's symbolism is profound—the base embodies the Buddha's crossed legs during meditation, the middle section represents his body, and the top signifies the apex of his spiritual journey. A pole rising from the apex, encircled by a small fence, represents the spiritual ascent towards enlightenment.

Before the human Buddha was depicted on the stupa, reliefs showcased devotees expressing their reverence and devotion to the stupa, emphasizing the importance of the stupa as a focal point for spiritual practices and veneration. Buddhist stupas stand not only as architectural marvels but as embodiments of the Buddha's transformative spiritual journey and the devotion of his followers.

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	MIS576
	Copper with Gold Plated
	Height: 9 inch
	Width: 4.5 inch
	Depth: 4.5 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.

A Beacon of Enlightenment: The Golden Stupa

This exquisite stupa, meticulously crafted from copper and finished with a luminous gold plating, is a profound representation of Buddhist artistry and devotion. Standing nine inches tall, it embodies the spiritual essence and architectural grandeur that are hallmarks of Nepalese religious artifacts. The stupa, a sacred monument in Buddhism, serves as a reliquary, a place of meditation, and a symbol of the Buddha's enlightened mind. Its tiered structure and elegant spire are deeply symbolic, each element carrying profound meaning for practitioners. ––––––––––––––––––––

Echoes of Ancient Wisdom

In Buddhist cosmology, the stupa is often seen as a cosmic axis, connecting the earthly realm to the heavens. It is said to represent the five elements – earth, water, fire, air, and space – that constitute the universe, and the five wisdoms of a Buddha. The tiered base symbolizes the path to enlightenment, with each level representing stages of spiritual development. At its pinnacle, the finial, often shaped like a parasol or a jewel, signifies protection and the ultimate attainment of Nirvana. The presence of a miniature Buddha image nestled within the stupa's structure further amplifies its sacredness, evoking the presence of the Awakened One himself and reminding viewers of his teachings. ––––––––––––––––––––

Craftsmanship of Devotion

Originating from Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual traditions and renowned for its skilled artisans, this stupa showcases the dedication and reverence with which such sacred objects are made. The intricate detailing, from the delicate scrollwork adorning its sides to the precise layering of its tiers, speaks to a heritage of meticulous craftsmanship passed down through generations. The warm glow of the gold plating lends an aura of divinity and preciousness, making this piece not just a religious icon, but also a work of art designed to inspire awe and contemplation. Whether placed in a personal meditation space, a place of worship, or as a distinguished accent in any home, this stupa serves as a constant reminder of the pursuit of inner peace and spiritual awakening. Its presence can evoke a sense of serenity and connection to a rich cultural and spiritual legacy.

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.