Four Armed Avalokiteshvara Idol - Handmade Copper Statue from Nepal

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$178

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A unique representation of Avalokiteshvara’s form as Chintamani (holding the wish-fulfilling jewel) Lokeshvara, this handmade copper statue from Nepal is a divine icon. Standing in a still posture, Lokeshvara has a beautiful smile on his countenance and swaying garments around his form, which infuse the statue with a lovely sense of dynamism. With a gently tilting head and exquisite ornamentation, Avalokiteshvara in this form appears to be celestial compassion incarnate.

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Specifications

	ZCH73
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 5.2 inch
	Width: 2.5 inch
	Depth: 1.5 inch
	Weight 220 gm

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

Embodying Compassion and Enlightenment

This exquisite handmade copper statue from Nepal depicts the revered Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in his four-armed form. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this deity is an embodiment of boundless compassion, wisdom, and the enlightened mind. Avalokiteshvara, known in Sanskrit as "the lord who looks down," is one of the most significant figures in Mahayana Buddhism, symbolizing the active manifestation of Buddha's compassion for all sentient beings. The statue's rich copper construction, further enhanced by a luminous gilding of 24-karat gold, lends it a divine aura. The golden sheen reflects the celestial nature of Avalokiteshvara, promising to bring peace, protection, and spiritual guidance to its admirer. The four arms are a significant iconographical feature, representing his ability to engage with the suffering of the world from multiple perspectives and to offer help in diverse ways. The two primary hands are often shown in the *anjali mudra*, a gesture of prayer and respect, signifying devotion and the harmonious union of compassion and wisdom.

A Symbol of Hope and Intervention

In Buddhist lore, Avalokiteshvara is said to have promised to remain in existence until all beings are liberated from suffering. The myth of his descent into the deepest hells to alleviate the torments of the damned further underscores his profound commitment to universal salvation. It is believed that by simply invoking his name, one can receive his blessings and protection. This four-armed form is particularly potent, with each hand symbolizing different aspects of his compassionate actions. One hand might hold a lotus, representing purity and enlightenment; another, a vajra, symbolizing indestructibility and spiritual power; and others might be in poses of meditation or bestowing blessings. The intricate details of this statue, from the serene expression on Avalokiteshvara's face to the delicate adornments, speak to the spiritual depth and artistic mastery of the Nepali artisans who brought this sacred image to life.

Sacred Artistry and Spiritual Connection

The tradition of creating such sacred art in Nepal is deeply intertwined with centuries of spiritual practice and devotion. Each statue is not merely an object of beauty but a conduit for divine energy and a focal point for meditation and prayer. The use of copper as a base metal is traditional, believed to have auspicious qualities, and its transformation through gilding with pure gold elevates it to a sacred artifact. Owning this four-armed Avalokiteshvara statue is an invitation to cultivate compassion within oneself, to seek solace in times of hardship, and to foster a deeper connection with the spiritual path. Its presence can serve as a constant reminder of the potential for universal love and the path towards enlightenment, making it a cherished addition to any altar, meditation space, or home seeking spiritual serenity and divine grace.

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.