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Standing Maitreya Buddha From Nepal

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Name: Standing Maitreya Buddha From Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIU128
Price: 3480.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$3262.50

$4350

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Maitreya or the Friendly One in Nepalese Buddhism is the future Bodhisattva, on whose unending benevolence his devotees rely. In this copper statue of Maitreya from Nepal, the Bodhisattva is in a graceful standing posture, wearing a diaphanous robe through which his youthful form is highlighted. With his right hand in the gesture of Varada (giving boon), Maitreya in this statue appears to be a balance between mediative wisdom and childlike innocence- qualities which are brought out by his angelic visage.

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Specifications

	MIU128
	Copper Gilded with Gold
	Height: 16 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 4.5 inch
	Weight 4 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 6 days
	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Embodiment of Future Enlightenment

This exquisite statue depicts Maitreya, the Bodhisattva of future enlightenment, destined to become the next Buddha. In Buddhist traditions, Maitreya is revered as a benevolent figure who will descend to Earth in the distant future to usher in an era of peace and spiritual awakening. He is often shown in a youthful, regal form, embodying compassion, wisdom, and a gentle promise of a brighter tomorrow. This particular rendition, originating from the artisan workshops of Nepal, captures Maitreya in a standing posture, a classic depiction that suggests his readiness to descend and teach. ––––––––––

Artistic Mastery and Sacred Symbolism

Crafted from copper and meticulously gilded with gold, this sculpture radiates a divine aura. The rich copper base provides a solid foundation, while the delicate gold plating highlights the serene features of Maitreya and the intricate details of his adornments and the surrounding aureole. The aureole, a common motif in Buddhist art, symbolizes the radiant wisdom and boundless compassion emanating from the enlightened being. The flowing robes, the gentle gesture of the hand, and the serene expression all speak to the masterful craftsmanship and the deep understanding of Buddhist iconography by the artisans. The posture, with one hand raised in a gesture of blessing or teaching (Abhaya Mudra) and the other holding a lotus bud, signifies purity and the potential for spiritual growth. ––––––––––

A Connection to Nepalese Tradition

Nepal, a cradle of Buddhist art and philosophy, has a long-standing tradition of creating sacred sculptures that are both objects of devotion and works of art. This Maitreya Buddha statue is a testament to that rich heritage. The stylistic elements are characteristic of Nepalese craftsmanship, blending a refined aesthetic with profound spiritual meaning. Such statues are often found in monasteries, temples, and private altars, serving as focal points for meditation and prayer. Owning this statue is not merely acquiring an object of beauty, but also connecting with a lineage of spiritual practice and artistic excellence that has flourished in the Himalayas for centuries. It is a tangible reminder of the enduring hope for spiritual advancement and universal harmony, a message that resonates across cultures and time.

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.