With a blazing sword
in his hand, ready to defeat evil and darkness, and a celestial smile on his
face, this Nepalese statue of Bodhisattva Manjushri creates a poetic balance
between his compassion and his valiant powers. Manjushri has a lustrous face,
extraordinarily long eyes, and a pleasing smile. His silken scarf creates
fascinating waves that draw attention to the suppleness of his youthful figure,
wrapping him all over in its brocaded embrace. The ornaments of Manjushri are
exquisitely delineated- from his ornate crown to necklaces and his finely
patterned dhoti.
A layer of gold on the
countenance of Manjushri gives a divine contrast to the copper statute while
highlighting the serenity on the face of the Bodhisattva which removes
negativity and fear from the heart of his devotee.
Embodiment of Wisdom: The Bodhisattva Manjushri Statue
This exquisite statue captures the essence of Bodhisattva Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Crafted in Nepal, a land steeped in rich Buddhist traditions, this piece is more than just a decorative object; it is a conduit for spiritual contemplation and an artistic masterpiece. The traditional Nepalese artistry shines through in every detail, from the serene yet powerful expression of Manjushri to the intricate drapery of his robes.
The Bodhisattva Manjushri is a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism, revered as the embodiment of all wisdom. Legends speak of Manjushri originating from the crown of the primordial Buddha Vairochana, signifying his supreme wisdom that illuminates all Buddhas. He is often depicted with a flaming sword in his right hand, symbolizing the cutting away of ignorance and delusion, and a scripture or lotus flower in his left, representing the realization of the wisdom of the teachings. This statue embodies these powerful attributes, offering a tangible representation of the path to enlightenment.A Masterpiece of Craftsmanship
Cast from high-quality copper and meticulously gilded with gold, this statue radiates a divine aura. The warm, rich tones of the copper are beautifully enhanced by the lustrous gold accents, particularly on Manjushri's serene face, his elaborate crown, and the delicate embellishments of his attire. The skilled artisans have painstakingly etched fine patterns onto the robes, adding depth and visual interest to the sculpture. The lotus base, a symbol of purity and enlightenment, is intricately carved, providing a stable and majestic foundation for the divine figure. The overall effect is one of profound beauty and spiritual significance.
The posture of the statue, seated in the meditative pose known as lotus position, signifies tranquility and deep contemplation. The gesture of his left hand, facing outward, is often interpreted as the gesture of fearlessness or granting blessings, inviting peace and confidence. The upward sweep of the sword in his right hand is dynamic and purposeful, a potent reminder of the power of wisdom to overcome obstacles. This carefully rendered iconography makes the statue a powerful focal point for any altar or sacred space, inspiring reverence and a deeper connection to Buddhist teachings.
This statue is a testament to the enduring legacy of Nepalese Buddhist art, where spiritual devotion and masterful craftsmanship are interwoven to create objects of profound beauty and meaning. It serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of wisdom and the path towards spiritual liberation.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.
