The Four Harmonious Friends Wall-hanging (Made In Nepal) (mthun-po spun-bzhi, Skt. Catvari anukulabhratr)

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The motif of the four harmonious friends is to be found in abundance in Buddhist-inspired art everywhere. The four brothers comprise of the elephant, the monkey, the hare, and the partridge; whilst the all-important harmony lies in their position relative to each other. This harmony was established after a period of mutual discord. The brothers had gotten down to discussing the age of a banyan tree in the Himalayan foothills where they dwelt. The elephant had seen it when it was a bush; the monkey, when it was a shrub; and the rabbit, when it was a tender leafless sapling. However, the partridge remembers having carried its very seed in its body and planted it there. His age and seniority were thus established, and mutual respect and harmony restored amidst the four.

The exquisite wall-hanging that you see on this page features this all-important motif. The same is a fine example of Nepalese handiwork, the copper repousse having been done with great skill and labour. Zoom in on each aspect of the work to take in the sheer level of details - the adornments on the elephants and the landscape they are walking on, the series of lotus petals and gems of red and blue that frame the central motif, and ashtamangala symbols laterally arranged on either side of the same. Peacocks and a kirtimukha image are on the lower panel, while the upper one features more complex repousse. The whole composition is framed by more lotus petals that run along all four sides of the wall-hanging.

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Specifications

	ZDE76
	Repoussé on Copper
	Height: 31.2 inch
	Width: 27.2 inch
	Depth: 2.2 inch
	Weight 5.68 kg

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A Testament to Harmony: The Four Harmonious Friends Wall-hanging

This exquisite wall-hanging, meticulously crafted in Nepal, is a breathtaking representation of the revered "Four Harmonious Friends" motif. Rendered through the ancient art of repoussé on copper, each detail is brought to life with a depth and richness that speaks to the artisan's mastery. The lustrous golden hue of the copper evokes a sense of sacredness and enduring beauty, making this piece a truly captivating addition to any space. The central panel features an impressive, regal elephant, adorned with an ornate blanket and carrying a rider upon its back. Elephants in Buddhist tradition are symbols of strength, wisdom, and stability. They are often associated with the Buddha himself, embodying his steadfastness and power. The intricate detailing of the elephant's trappings and the texture of its skin are a testament to the painstaking skill involved in its creation. ––––––––––––––––––––

Embodying Wisdom and Unity

The "Four Harmonious Friends" is a classic Buddhist tale that illustrates the virtues of cooperation, humility, and mutual respect. The story recounts how four animals – an elephant, a monkey, a rabbit, and a bird – lived in a forest and strove to outdo each other in virtuous conduct. They eventually learned to live in harmony, with each animal respecting the others and recognizing their unique contributions. The elephant, being the largest and strongest, bowed its head to the others, acknowledging their wisdom and eldership. The monkey, nimble and intelligent, offered fruit from the upper branches. The rabbit, though smaller, demonstrated its commitment by carrying the monkey on its back. And the bird, with its ability to fly, provided sustenance from afar. Together, they symbolized a perfect balance of power, intellect, compassion, and vision, demonstrating that true strength lies in unity and mutual reliance. ––––––––––––––––––––

A Tapestry of Auspicious Symbols

Surrounding the central panel, the wall-hanging is adorned with a wealth of auspicious imagery. Dragons, powerful symbols of strength, good fortune, and divine protection in many Asian cultures, flank the upper portion. Their serpentine forms and fierce expressions are rendered with dynamic artistry, adding a sense of vibrant energy to the piece. Interspersed throughout are intricate floral motifs and auspicious symbols such as the endless knot, representing the Buddha's eternal wisdom and compassion. The lower section features elegant peacocks, birds often associated with royalty, beauty, and good luck, adding a touch of grace and refinement. The subtle placement of turquoise and red stones further enhances the visual appeal, adding pops of color that draw the eye and highlight the rich texture of the repoussé work. This wall-hanging is not merely a decorative item; it is a profound visual narrative, a timeless reminder of the enduring power of harmony and the wisdom of living in balance.

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.