Tibetan Buddhist Guru Padmasambhava with Superfine Carving - Made in Nepal

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$2338

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Sculpted to perfection from copper and gilded with pristine gold, this is one buy no lover of the Orient could go wrong with. Guru Rinpoche, as Padmasambhava is known across the Indian hills that roll on to Tibet, was a master of Buddhist thought and highly instrumental in bringing the teachings of this ancient religion to Tibet. Having almost single-handedly established the first monastery of Tibet, the Guru to this day is a popular meditative totem.

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Specifications

	ZDH60
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 14.2 inch
	Width: 8.7 inch
	Depth: 7 inch
	Weight 4.70 kg

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

Embodiment of Enlightenment: A Reverent Depiction of Guru Rinpoche

This exquisite copper statue, meticulously crafted in Nepal, presents a luminous portrayal of Guru Padmasambhava, revered as the Lotus-Born, a pivotal figure in Tibetan Buddhism. Adorned with a rich gilding of 24 karat gold, the sculpture radiates an aura of divine presence, inviting contemplation and spiritual connection. The artistry is evident in every detail, from the serene yet powerful expression on Guru Rinpoche's face to the intricate ornamentation of his regal attire. Padmasambhava, often called the "Second Buddha," is credited with bringing Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century. Legend has it that he was miraculously born from a lotus flower in the Dhanakosha Lake of Oddiyana, hence his name. His arrival was prophesied to tame the demons and spirits that resisted the dharma and to establish the teachings of the Vajrayana. This statue captures the essence of his transformative power, symbolizing the subjugation of ignorance and the unfolding of wisdom.

Sacred Symbolism and Artistic Mastery

The posture of the statue, seated in a meditative pose upon a lotus throne, signifies purity, enlightenment, and the triumph over worldly attachments. The lotus, blooming brilliantly from muddy waters, is a potent symbol of spiritual awakening. Guru Rinpoche's right hand is depicted holding the vajra, a ritual implement symbolizing indestructibility, emptiness, and the power to cut through ignorance. His left hand cradles a skull-cup (kapala), often filled with nectar, representing the transmutation of negative energies and the essence of profound wisdom. The elaborate crown and jewelry are not merely decorative but are imbued with meaning, representing his enlightened qualities and royal lineage as a prince of Uddiyana. The fine carving showcases the immense skill of Nepalese artisans, who have passed down their traditional metalworking techniques through generations. The deliberate choice of copper as the base material, known for its conductive properties, further enhances the perceived spiritual resonance of the artwork.

A Beacon of Wisdom and Compassion

This magnificent representation of Guru Padmasambhava serves as a powerful reminder of the path to liberation and the enduring legacy of his teachings. In Tibetan culture, he is invoked for protection, guidance, and the removal of obstacles on the spiritual journey. Possessing this statue is not merely acquiring a beautiful object; it is inviting the blessings and wisdom of one of Buddhism's most revered masters into your sacred space. Its presence can inspire mindfulness, foster devotion, and serve as a constant source of spiritual strength and solace. Crafted with devotion and an unwavering commitment to traditional aesthetics, this gilded copper statue is a testament to the profound spiritual heritage of Nepal and a treasure for any practitioner or admirer of Tibetan Buddhist art.

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.