The great Shakyamuni
was the first who went towards the path of Buddhahood. A founder of Buddhism
whose teaching mainly inclined towards the path of enlightenment, free from
material aspects as he sits in bhumpisparsha posture while his hand touched the
ground. The brass mocha brown Shakyamuni is clad in an iron-grey robe. His eyes
are closed and his head is covered with short curls. The azure bump signifying
transcendental wisdom and elongated earlobes is a characteristic sign of
Buddha. He is preaching his dhamma sits in padmasana on a silver and brown
lotus plinth decorated in an amazingly blended pattern with the lotus leaves
highlighted ash grey. The rainbow aureole blended with the paisley motif
enhance the beauty of the erratic statue. In peacetime he is wise and
dignified, his demeanour calm and serene, possessing great majesty and royalty.
His facial features are chiselled in a celestial aura focusing on every
minutest detail. He is seated on a precious elephant throne that has the
strength of a thousand elephants.
The Serene Presence of Shakyamuni Buddha
This exquisite copper statue captures the profound tranquility and wisdom of Shakyamuni Buddha, the spiritual leader who attained enlightenment and founded Buddhism. Crafted with exceptional skill in Nepal, a land steeped in Buddhist tradition and artistry, this piece is more than just a decorative item; it is an invocation of peace, mindfulness, and spiritual aspiration. The Buddha is depicted in the classic lotus posture, a symbol of purity and spiritual growth rising from the mud of worldly attachments. His meditative gaze, serene expression, and gentle hand gesture convey a sense of profound inner peace and compassion.Symbolism of the Elephant Throne
The foundation of this statue is adorned with an elephant motif, referencing a significant symbol in Buddhist iconography. The elephant represents strength, wisdom, and steadfastness, qualities that are essential on the path to enlightenment. In Buddhist lore, Queen Maya, the mother of Buddha, dreamt of a white elephant entering her side, signifying the auspicious conception of a being of immense spiritual power and purity. The lotus base upon which the Buddha sits further amplifies this symbolism, representing the unfolding of spiritual awareness and the transcendence of suffering. The ornate arch behind the Buddha, reminiscent of a halo or a divine aura, is intricately detailed, suggesting the boundless radiance of his wisdom and compassion.Masterful Craftsmanship and Cultural Heritage
The creation of this statue is a testament to the enduring legacy of Nepalese metal craftsmanship. The artists have employed traditional techniques to imbue the copper with a rich patina, creating a beautiful contrast between the bronzed tones of the Buddha's form and the silvered accents of his robe and the surrounding ornamentation. The delicate detailing on the robe, the subtle rendering of his features, and the intricate patterns on the arch and base all speak to a deep understanding of Buddhist aesthetics and a meticulous attention to detail. Each element of this statue is thoughtfully designed to inspire contemplation and reverence, making it a fitting centerpiece for any meditation space, altar, or sacred collection. It is a tangible connection to a rich cultural heritage and a timeless spiritual philosophy.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.
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