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14" Colorful Guru Padmasambhava Copper Sculpture from Nepal

$1312.50
$1750
25% off
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Only 1 available

Primarily in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, is a highly revered person. Said to be among the forerunners, he is honored as the "Second Buddha." The introduction of Buddhism to Tibet in the eighth century was made possible in large part by Guru Padmasambhava. At the invitation of King Trisong Detsen, Padmasambhava eventually traveled to Tibet to assist in the spread of Buddhism. He was born in Oddiyana, which is today the Swat Valley in Pakistan. He taught what is now known as "Vajrayana" or "Tantric Buddhism," and it greatly influenced the growth of Tibet.

Specifications
MIU144
Copper Gilded with Gold
Height: 14 inch
Width: 9.5 inch
Depth: 7.5 inch
Weight 5 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 6 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: The Padmasambhava Sculpture

Invite the profound wisdom and transformative power of Guru Padmasambhava into your sacred space with this exquisite 14-inch copper sculpture from Nepal. Masterfully crafted by skilled artisans, this piece is more than just a decorative object; it is a tangible connection to centuries of spiritual devotion and a symbol of liberation from suffering. The radiant gold gilding accentuates the intricate details, making Guru Rinpoche, as he is affectionately known, appear as a celestial being descended to Earth.

The Legend of the Lotus-Born

Guru Padmasambhava, the "Lotus-Born," is revered as the second Buddha, instrumental in establishing Buddhism in Tibet. Legend tells of his miraculous birth from a lotus flower in the Dhanakosha Lake, a manifestation of the Buddha Amitabha. He arrived in Tibet in the 8th century, overcoming obstacles and demonic forces, and introducing the Vajrayana teachings, which remain central to Tibetan Buddhism today. His presence is said to dispel negativities, offer protection, and guide practitioners toward spiritual awakening. This sculpture captures his serene yet powerful presence, embodying his role as a guide and protector.

Symbolism and Craftsmanship

Every element of this sculpture is imbued with meaning. Guru Padmasambhava is depicted seated in a meditative posture, symbolizing inner peace and wisdom. In his left hand, he holds a kapala, or skull cup, often filled with nectar of immortality, representing the transmutation of negative emotions into wisdom. In his right hand, he grasps a vajra, the thunderbolt scepter, signifying indestructibility and the power to cut through ignorance. The ornate crown and rich, layered robes, adorned with vibrant colors like deep red, emerald green, and royal blue, signify his royal lineage and his mastery over all realms of existence. The elaborate base, decorated with traditional motifs, further enhances the sacred aura of the piece.

A Masterpiece from the Himalayas

This magnificent sculpture is a testament to the unparalleled artistry of Nepalese artisans, whose traditions have been passed down through generations. The use of high-quality copper, meticulously shaped and then gilded with pure gold, ensures both durability and a luminous beauty that will endure for years to come. The hand-painted details, applied with a delicate touch, bring Guru Padmasambhava to life, capturing the intensity of his gaze and the wisdom in his expression. Owning this piece is not merely acquiring an artifact; it is embracing a spiritual legacy and inviting a powerful presence into your home or meditation space, fostering an atmosphere of peace, protection, and profound spiritual growth.

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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