Crowned Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra

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Specifications

	RQ63
	Copper Sculpture
	Height: 9 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1.76 kg

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MADE IN INDIA.

Touching the Earth

This exquisite sculpture portrays the Buddha in the Bhumisparsha Mudra, a gesture deeply symbolic of the moment of enlightenment. Crafted with meticulous detail from copper, the statue radiates serenity and inner peace. The right hand, extended downward, touches the earth, invoking it as a witness to the accumulation of merit and truth that led to Siddhartha Gautama's awakening under the Bodhi tree. The left hand rests in the lap in a gesture of meditation. The serene face, with gently closed eyes, conveys a sense of profound contemplation. This posture signifies unwavering resolve and victory over temptation.

The Weight of the World

The Bhumisparsha Mudra, often translated as the "earth-touching gesture," is a powerful representation of the Buddha's unwavering resolve. According to legend, as Siddhartha sat beneath the Bodhi tree, Mara, the demon of illusion and temptation, attempted to dissuade him from achieving enlightenment. Mara unleashed armies of demons, storms, and illusions to shake Siddhartha's resolve. Unmoved, Siddhartha reached down and touched the earth, calling upon the earth goddess, Prithvi, to bear witness to his countless lifetimes of virtuous actions and spiritual practice. The earth trembled in response, acknowledging Siddhartha's right to enlightenment and causing Mara's forces to flee in disarray.

A Crowned Representation

This Nepalese statue depicts the Buddha adorned with a crown, elaborate jewelry, and fine garments. This portrayal is not the ascetic monk often envisioned, but a crowned Buddha, reflecting the belief in the potential for enlightenment to manifest in a state of perfected being. The intricate details of the crown and ornaments speak to the opulence and spiritual richness associated with this manifestation.

A Legacy in Copper

The copper construction of this statue not only lends it a substantial and enduring presence but also connects it to a long tradition of metalworking in Nepal. Copper is a metal revered for its ability to conduct energy and its association with longevity. The statue's earthy tones and intricate detailing are achieved through careful craftsmanship, showcasing the skill and artistry of Nepalese artisans. This piece serves as both a beautiful work of art and a potent symbol of spiritual aspiration. The statue’s dimensions are 9.0 x 6.0 x 4.0 inches.

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.