Tibetan Buddhist Deity Crowned Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra

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$413

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Specifications

	RX85
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 8.5 inch
	Width: 5.5 inch
	Depth: 3.5 inch
	Weight 1.34 kg

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Enlightenment of the Earth-Witness

This exquisite statue embodies the pivotal moment of the Buddha's enlightenment, captured in the profound Bhumisparsha Mudra. The Bhumisparsha Mudra, or Earth-Touching Gesture, is one of the most significant poses in Buddhist iconography. Legend has it that as Siddhartha Gautama meditated beneath the Bodhi tree, he was assailed by Mara, the demon king of illusion, who sought to disturb his path to enlightenment. Mara sent his legions, tempting Siddhartha with worldly pleasures and threatening him with his own armies. In response, Siddhartha gently extended his right hand, palm down, and touched the earth. This act symbolized his unbroken connection to the earth and his resolve to remain steadfast in his pursuit of truth. The earth itself is said to have responded, bearing witness to his enlightenment and reaffirming his victory over temptation and ignorance.

A Vision of Divine Majesty

Crafted from copper and richly gilded with 24-karat gold, this statue radiates an aura of sacredness and timeless beauty. The luminous gold highlights the serene countenance of the Buddha, emphasizing his divine nature. His serene face, with its tranquil gaze and subtle smile, conveys a deep sense of peace and wisdom. The intricate details of the crown adorning his head speak to his regal status not as an earthly monarch, but as the awakened one, the king of Dharma. This crown, often seen in depictions of the Buddha, represents his ultimate sovereignty over the cycle of rebirth and suffering. The flowing robes, rendered with remarkable skill, fall gracefully around his form, adding to the statue's dynamic yet peaceful composition.

Symbolism and Devotion

The Bhumisparsha Mudra is a powerful reminder of the Buddha's unwavering determination and the interconnectedness of all beings with the natural world. Holding a small alms bowl in his left hand, the Buddha signifies his renunciation of worldly possessions and his commitment to a life of simplicity and spiritual pursuit. The lotus pedestal upon which he sits is a universal symbol of purity, rebirth, and spiritual awakening, as the lotus flower rises from the muddy depths to bloom in unblemished beauty. This statue is more than just an object of art; it is a focal point for meditation, contemplation, and devotion, inviting practitioners to connect with the teachings of the Buddha and to cultivate their own inner peace and enlightenment. Its presence can transform any space into a sanctuary of spiritual practice, a reminder of the potential for awakening that resides within us all.

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.