Maitreya Buddha (Tibetan Buddhist)

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$1513

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Specifications

	ZBT38
	Copper Sculpture with 24 Carat Gold
	Height: 17 inch
	Width: 8.5 inch
	Depth: 7 inch
	Weight 4.20 kg

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Future Buddha: A Symbol of Hope and Enlightenment

This exquisite copper sculpture, meticulously adorned with 24-carat gold, depicts Maitreya, the Bodhisattva of compassion and the future Buddha. In Tibetan Buddhism, Maitreya is revered as the successor to Shakyamuni Buddha, the historical Buddha, and is prophesied to appear on Earth in the distant future to teach the pure dharma. His arrival is seen as an era of unparalleled peace, enlightenment, and universal awakening. The sculptor has captured Maitreya in a serene and majestic pose, seated on a lotus throne, radiating an aura of profound wisdom and gentle grace. His facial features are rendered with exceptional detail, conveying a sense of inner peace and boundless love. The gilded face, a testament to the devotion poured into its creation, shines with a benevolent glow, inviting contemplation and spiritual connection.

Symbolism and Iconography

Maitreya is often depicted with a crown, symbolizing his royal lineage and his eventual reign as the universal monarch of a perfected world. The intricate adornments, including necklaces and bracelets, speak of his status as a prince and his rich spiritual qualities. His hands are clasped in a gesture of teaching or blessing, signifying his role as the harbinger of a new age of Dharma. The elaborate aureole behind him represents his spiritual illumination and the boundless light he will bring to the world. The presence of the Dharma wheel on one side of the aureole is a potent symbol of the Buddha's teachings, which will be revitalized and spread by Maitreya.

A Masterpiece of Nepalese Craftsmanship

This sculpture is a testament to the enduring tradition of Nepalese artistry. Skilled artisans, drawing upon centuries of experience and spiritual devotion, have brought this sacred figure to life. The use of copper as the base material provides a durable and resonant foundation, while the application of 24-carat gold imbues the piece with a celestial radiance and a sense of divine presence. The intricate detailing in the robes, the crown, and the ornamental elements showcase a mastery of form and texture, making this a true work of art. The tradition of creating Buddhist statues in Nepal dates back to ancient times, with many of these sacred objects serving as focal points for meditation, prayer, and devotion. Each piece is not merely an idol but a vessel of spiritual energy and a reminder of the path to liberation. This Maitreya Buddha statue, with its profound symbolism and exceptional craftsmanship, offers a tangible connection to the aspirations for a better world and the ultimate attainment of enlightenment. It is a piece that will inspire awe and reverence in any spiritual space.

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.