Lord Buddha with Garuda Wall Hanging Plate from Nepal

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$342

$456

25% off

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Specifications

	ZDF14
	Copper with Repoussé Work
	Height: 15 inch
	Width: 15 inch
	Depth: 1 inch
	Weight 1 kg

Delivery and Return Policies


	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

A Glimpse of Enlightenment: Lord Buddha and the Celestial Guardian

This exquisite circular wall hanging, meticulously crafted in Nepal, captures a moment of profound spiritual significance. At its heart sits Lord Buddha, serenely meditating in the lotus posture, a symbol of inner peace and enlightenment. His tranquil gaze and gentle posture radiate an aura of calm and wisdom, inviting contemplation and reflection. The use of repoussé work, a technique where metal is hammered from the reverse side to create a raised design, imbues the entire piece with a remarkable depth and dimensionality. Each detail, from the folds of Buddha's robes to the delicate rendering of his features, is brought to life through this intricate artistry. ––––––––––

Guardians of the Sacred Realm

Flanking the seated Buddha are two formidable figures, identified as Garuda. In Buddhist and Hindu mythology, the Garuda is a divine bird-like creature, the king of birds and the eternal enemy of the Naga (serpent deities). The Garuda is often depicted as a powerful protector, symbolizing strength, vigilance, and the triumph of good over evil. In this artwork, their presence suggests a divine shield, safeguarding the sacred space of enlightenment. The intricate rendering of their feathered wings, sharp talons, and fierce yet majestic faces speaks to the skill of the Nepalese artisans who brought this celestial scene to life. Their placement signifies the protective energies that surround the path to spiritual awakening. ––––––––––

A Tapestry of Nature and Divinity

The entire composition is framed by a lush, swirling motif of floral and foliate designs. These elements are not mere decoration; they are deeply symbolic within Buddhist art. The lotus flower, in particular, represents purity, spiritual awakening, and rebirth, as it rises untainted from muddy waters. The abundance of natural forms suggests the interconnectedness of all life and the inherent beauty of the natural world, mirroring the Buddha's teachings on compassion and harmony. The dark patina interspersed with the gleaming copper highlights creates a dramatic interplay of light and shadow, further enhancing the visual richness and spiritual depth of the piece. This wall hanging is more than just an object of art; it is a conduit to tranquility and a testament to the enduring power of spiritual iconography.

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.