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Amitayus Gilded Copper Nepalese Statue

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$2868.75

$3825

25% off

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Only 1 available

Envisioned as an immensely youthful celestial being, with a slender form, Amitayus, the Lord of Eternal Life in Buddhism is depicted in this gilded copper Nepalese statue, holding a pot of ambrosia in his hands placed in the mudra or gesture of meditation. Life-affirming waters overflowing from the pot, mystically swaying frills of the crown, curls formed by the scarf, and the heavenliness in Amitayus’s eyes bring an awe-inspiring richness to the statue. With a masterful use of incised lines, motifs such as Vajra, dhamma chakra, and deer, are added to the reverse of the golden throne of Amitayus.

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Specifications

	MIT026
	Copper with Gold Plated
	Height: 19 inch
	Width: 13 inch
	Depth: 9 inch
	Weight 8.50 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.

Embodiment of Infinite Life and Wisdom

This exquisite statue captures the serene presence of Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life. Crafted in Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual tradition and artistic mastery, this piece is a testament to the devotion and skill of its creators. The statue is rendered in gleaming copper, meticulously plated with lustrous gold, imbuing it with a divine radiance that symbolizes the enlightenment and purity associated with Amitayus. The intricate details, from the serene facial expression to the flowing robes, speak of a profound understanding of Buddhist iconography and aesthetics. ––––––––––

A Glimpse into Buddhist Mythology

Amitayus is a crucial figure in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly revered in Tibetan Buddhism. He is often depicted as the Sambhogakaya form of Amitabha Buddha, representing the bliss body of Buddhahood. Amitayus is specifically invoked for longevity, health, and the attainment of a good rebirth. Tales tell of his boundless compassion and his role in guiding beings towards liberation. In the Sukhavati Sutra, Amitayus presides over the Western Pure Land, a paradise where sentient beings can be reborn to practice the Dharma in ideal conditions, free from the obstacles of worldly existence. His presence in a home or meditation space is believed to invoke blessings of long life, merit, and spiritual progress. ––––––––––

Artistic Grandeur and Symbolic Detail

The seated posture of Amitayus is the lotus position (Padmasana), a classic symbol of purity and spiritual awakening. His hands are held in the gesture of meditation (Dhyana Mudra), cradling a vase filled with the nectar of immortality, known as the Amrita Kalasha. This vessel is a potent symbol of the unending essence of life and wisdom that Amitayus bestows. The opulent crown and elaborate jewelry adorning him signify his status as a celestial Buddha, embodying the highest spiritual attainment. The finely chased patterns on his garments and the cascading robes demonstrate the remarkable craftsmanship that defines Nepalese artistry. Each swirl and curve has been carefully sculpted, reflecting a deep spiritual discipline and an artistic heritage passed down through generations. The lotus base upon which he sits further amplifies the symbolism of purity, emerging untainted from the mud of worldly existence to blossom into enlightenment.

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.