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Bodhisattva Manjushri From Nepal

$2503.50
$3338
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A heavenly smile playing on his face and a flaming sword in his hand waiting to vanquish evil and darkness- this Nepalese statue of Bodhisattva Manjushri strikes a poetic balance between his benevolence and his potencies. Manjushri is presented with a fleshy face, extremely elongated eyes, and a pleasantly smiling mouth. His exquisite ornaments highlight the suppleness of his youthful form, which is accentuated by the enchanting waves formed by his silken scarf. Precious turquoise, lapis lazuli, and coral are employed by the Nepalese master sculptors to give the statue a divine finish.

Specifications
CAA193
Copper With Gold
Height: 19 inch
Width: 13.5 inch
Depth: 9 inch
Weight 8.90 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 6 days
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Bodhisattva of Wisdom: A Symbol of Enlightenment

This exquisite statue embodies Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, a revered figure in Mahayana Buddhism. Manjushri is not merely an icon but a potent symbol of intellect, insight, and the discerning mind that cuts through ignorance. His presence is said to bestow clarity, sharpen intellect, and illuminate the path to enlightenment. In Buddhist lore, he is often depicted as a young prince, representing the inherent purity and potential for wisdom within all beings. Legends tell of Manjushri appearing to devotees in dreams, offering profound teachings and guiding them towards spiritual understanding. He is considered the foremost of all Bodhisattvas, the embodiment of the Buddha's wisdom itself.

Artistry and Divine Representation

Crafted with unparalleled skill in Nepal, this sculpture is a testament to the rich artistic traditions of the region. The use of copper, meticulously overlaid with gold, imbues the statue with a radiant luminescence, signifying spiritual purity and auspiciousness. The figure is adorned with intricate jewelry, including a magnificent crown that speaks of his royal lineage and elevated status. Each detail, from the serene expression on his face to the flowing robes, is rendered with a precision that inspires awe and reverence. The placement of precious stones in the crown and adornments further enhances the statue's divine aura, symbolizing the manifold qualities of wisdom.

Iconography and Meaning

Manjushri is powerfully depicted in this sculpture holding aloft a flaming sword in his right hand. This sword is not for destruction but for severing the roots of ignorance, delusion, and doubt. It represents the sharp, incisive nature of wisdom that cuts through confusion and leads to liberation. In his left hand, he holds the stem of a blue lotus, symbolizing the unfolding of wisdom and the purity of his enlightened mind, which blossoms even amidst the mire of samsara. The lotus, a sacred symbol in many Eastern traditions, represents spiritual growth and the attainment of enlightenment. The intricate base, adorned with lotus petals and ornate patterns, signifies the stable foundation upon which wisdom rests, supporting the aspirant's spiritual journey.

A Beacon of Serenity and Knowledge

This Bodhisattva Manjushri statue serves as a powerful reminder of the pursuit of wisdom and the transformative power of knowledge. Its serene presence can bring a sense of peace and contemplation to any space, inspiring practitioners to cultivate their own inner wisdom. Whether placed in a meditation room, a study, or a place of devotion, this statue acts as a focal point for spiritual aspiration and a conduit for the blessings of clarity and insight. It is an artifact of profound beauty and spiritual significance, inviting contemplation and fostering a deeper connection to the path of 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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