14" Chenrezig Avalokiteshvara Idol from Nepal | Tibetan Buddhist Deity Statue

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14" Chenrezig Avalokiteshvara Idol from Nepal | Tibetan Buddhist Deity Statue

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Name: 14" Chenrezig Avalokiteshvara Idol from Nepal | Tibetan Buddhist Deity Statue
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIV959
Price: 990.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$928.50

$1238

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Enter the compassionate realm of Chenrezig, the embodiment of boundless empathy in Tibetan Buddhism. With numerous arms extending in a gesture of caring and gaze radiating compassion. Chenerzig stands as a bodhisattva, a guiding presence on the profound journey of enlightenment. Chenrezig emanates compassion, his mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” resonating within the hearts of dedicated practitioners. Each of his myriad arms signifies a commitment to aiding sentient beings, and his serene countenance reflects an unwavering dedication to alleviating suffering.

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Specifications

	MIV959
	COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
	Height: 14 inch
	Width: 11 inch
	Depth: 6 inch
	Weight 4.80 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 25 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 Bodhisattva of Compassion

This stunning statue, handcrafted in Nepal, embodies the essence of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Known as Chenrezig in Tibetan Buddhism, Avalokiteshvara is revered as the embodiment of the compassion of all Buddhas. This deity is not merely a figure of worship, but a symbol of the profound potential for empathy and selfless love that resides within each of us. According to legend, Avalokiteshvara vowed to postpone his own Buddhahood until he had helped every sentient being achieve enlightenment. The vastness of human suffering initially overwhelmed him, causing his head to split into eleven pieces, and his body to shatter into a thousand fragments. Amitabha Buddha, witnessing his plight, used his divine power to reconstitute Avalokiteshvara, granting him eleven heads to hear the cries of the suffering world and a thousand arms to reach out and help.

Craftsmanship and Detail

This meticulously crafted piece, made of copper and gilded with gold, captures the grace and power of Avalokiteshvara. Measuring 14.0 x 11.0 x 6.0 inches, the statue presents the Bodhisattva seated in the lotus position, a posture of serene meditation. The intricate details, from the ornate crown adorned with turquoise and coral-colored stones, to the flowing robes and delicate hand gestures, are a testament to the skill of the Nepalese artisans. The surface gleams with a rich golden hue, enhanced by the intricate carvings and design. This gilded finish enhances the statue’s spiritual aura, reflecting light and creating a focal point for meditation and reflection.

Symbolism in Form

The multi-armed form of Avalokiteshvara is not merely decorative; it is rich with symbolic meaning. Each hand holds specific objects or gestures, known as mudras, that represent aspects of compassion and wisdom. Although all objects held are not clear from the original image provided, they are as follows: One hand typically holds a mala (prayer beads) to count mantras recited to benefit beings. Another holds a lotus flower, a symbol of purity and spiritual awakening. The gesture of Anjali mudra, or prayer, represents devotion. The eleven heads represent Avalokiteshvara’s ability to perceive and respond to suffering in all directions, while the thousand arms signify his capacity to alleviate the suffering of countless beings simultaneously. The overall effect is a powerful visual representation of the Bodhisattva’s boundless compassion and unwavering commitment to the welfare of all. This statue serves as a reminder of the potential for compassion within ourselves, and our ability to make a positive impact on the world.

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.