11" Avalokiteshvara Copper Statue from Nepal | Buddhist Deity Idols

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11" Avalokiteshvara Copper Statue from Nepal | Buddhist Deity Idols

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Name: 11" Avalokiteshvara Copper Statue from Nepal | Buddhist Deity Idols
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: CAA172
Price: 735.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$689.25

$919

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Avalokitesvara, is a Mahayana bodhisattva, carries the compassionate essence that has significantly propelled Buddhism's reach. His depiction varies across cultures, reflecting the concept of deifying rulers, crafting talismanic deity images, and empowering leaders—themes prevalent in Southeast Asia.

In his four-armed form, Avalokiteshvara radiates purity, clad in white. His foremost pair of hands unite at his heart, a testament to his vow before Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, a promise to shield all beings from suffering. Within these hands rests a wish-fulfilling jewel, an emblem of Avalokiteshvara's compassionate Bodhichitta.

In another right hand, he cradles a crystal rosary, embodying his prowess to liberate beings from Samsara's cycles. This multifaceted imagery encapsulates his role as a compassionate guide and liberator across different cultural contexts.

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Specifications

	CAA172
	Copper With Gold
	Height: 11 inch
	Width: 9.5 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 3.10 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.

The Compassionate Watcher of the World

This exquisite sculpture embodies the profound presence of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Revered across Mahayana Buddhism, Avalokiteshvara is a being of immense wisdom and kindness, who has vowed to postpone their own Buddhahood until all sentient beings are liberated from suffering. The very name "Avalokiteshvara" translates to "the lord who looks down," signifying their constant vigilance and unwavering empathy for the world's plight. In this remarkable representation, crafted with dedication in Nepal, this sacred figure is brought to life through a masterful blend of copper and striking gold accents, imbued with a dignified aura of serene power.

A Vision of Divine Grace

The artistry evident in this statue speaks volumes about the skill of Nepalese artisans. Avalokiteshvara is depicted seated in a meditative posture, radiating an aura of peace and spiritual devotion. Their primary hands are held in the Anjali mudra, the gesture of prayer and salutation, a symbol of reverence and union. The additional sets of arms extend outwards, each holding significant iconography that further narrates the Bodhisattva's compassionate journey. One hand gracefully holds a lotus flower, representing purity and enlightenment, while another cradles a symbolic mala, or prayer beads, signifying the continuous cycle of compassion and recitation of mantras. The serene expression on the face, accentuated by finely painted eyes and lips, conveys a sense of profound understanding and boundless love, inviting contemplation and inner peace for all who gaze upon it. The intricate details of the crown, adorned with precious stones, and the flowing robes speak to the divine status and majesty of this revered deity.

Cultural Significance and Devotion

Avalokiteshvara holds a place of paramount importance in the Buddhist pantheon, particularly in Tibet, Nepal, and other Mahayana traditions. Tales abound of their benevolent interventions, from saving beings from perilous situations to guiding souls towards liberation. In Tibetan Buddhism, Avalokiteshvara is often depicted in various forms, each embodying different aspects of compassion. The female manifestation, Tara, is also closely associated and believed to have emerged from a tear shed by Avalokiteshvara. This statue, originating from Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual heritage, serves not only as a work of art but also as a focal point for devotion, meditation, and personal reflection, inspiring individuals to cultivate their own inner compassion and strive for a more harmonious existence.

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.