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MADE IN INDIA.

12" Buddhist Stupa From Nepal

$1167
$1556
25% off
Includes any tariffs and taxes

Stupa in the religious-culture sphere of Buddhism is the most ancient and pristine symbol of Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha, the sacred three jewels. The purifying presence of the Stupa comes to you in this copper gilded with gold icon from Nepal. The Stupa is placed on an exquisitely delineated lotus seat which represents enlightenment and an enlightened mind, and is embellished with traditional motifs etched all over the surface. Glimmering with its pure gold layering, this copper Stupa is a venerable addition to your space. 

Specifications
MIU256
COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
Height: 12 inch
Width: 5 inch
Depth: 5 inch
Weight 1.60 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 15 days
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

A Beacon of Enlightenment

This exquisite 12-inch Buddhist stupa, meticulously crafted in Nepal, is more than just a statue; it is a sacred architectural form representing the enlightenment of the Buddha and the path to spiritual liberation. Its radiant gold gilding, applied over a sturdy copper core, imbues it with an aura of divine presence, making it a powerful focal point for meditation, prayer, or spiritual contemplation. The stupa's design follows ancient Buddhist traditions, each element holding profound symbolic meaning. The tiered base, intricately carved with auspicious patterns, symbolizes the foundation of the path to enlightenment. Rising above this is the dome, or "anda," representing the celestial sphere and the enlightened mind. The central shaft, or "harmika," signifies the abode of the gods, and the pinnacle, with its layered rings, represents the stages of spiritual ascent. The overall form draws inspiration from the natural world, with many stupas incorporating elements that evoke mountains, lotus flowers, and the cosmic axis.

Craftsmanship Rooted in Tradition

Hand-beaten and skillfully gilded with pure gold, this stupa is a testament to the enduring artistry of Nepalese craftsmen. Their dedication to preserving ancient techniques ensures that each piece carries the weight of centuries of spiritual practice and artistic excellence. The detailed ornamentation, from the fine incised lines to the raised decorative motifs, speaks to a deep understanding of Buddhist symbolism and aesthetic principles. The warm glow of the gold reflects the inner radiance of awakening, drawing the observer into a space of peace and introspection. In Buddhist culture, stupas serve as reliquaries, often containing sacred relics, scriptures, or mantras, thereby becoming potent objects of devotion and merit-making. Circumambulating a stupa is believed to purify negative karma and accumulate spiritual merit, akin to walking around a sacred mountain or a holy shrine. This particular stupa, while perhaps not housing physical relics, carries within its very form the essence of these sacred traditions, serving as a conduit for spiritual aspiration and a reminder of the Buddha's profound teachings.

A Symbol of Peace and Prosperity

Placing this gilded stupa in your home or sacred space invites an atmosphere of tranquility, wisdom, and spiritual growth. It serves as a constant reminder of the Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha, and the potential for inner peace and enlightenment that resides within us all. Its majestic presence, enhanced by the auspicious gold, is also believed to attract good fortune, protection, and positive energy, creating a harmonious environment conducive to well-being. This piece is a beautiful fusion of art, devotion, and the timeless wisdom of Buddhism, brought to life by the skilled hands of artisans from the heart of the Himalayas.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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