14" Decorated Guru Padmsambhav Seated on Pedestal From Nepal

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14" Decorated Guru Padmsambhav Seated on Pedestal From Nepal

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Name: 14" Decorated Guru Padmsambhav Seated on Pedestal From Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIV960
Price: 990.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$928.50

$1238

25% off

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Specifications

	MIV960
	COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
	Height: 14 inch
	Width: 9.5 inch
	Depth: 7.5 inch
	Weight 4.90 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 15 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.

Embodiment of Enlightened Wisdom and Compassion

This exquisite statue depicts Guru Padmasambhava, the revered Lotus-Born master, in a commanding yet serene seated posture. Crafted in Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual traditions, this artwork embodies centuries of devotion and artistic mastery. Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, is a central figure in Tibetan Buddhism, credited with bringing the teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century. Legend has it that he was miraculously born from a lotus flower in the Dudh Kosi river, a testament to his extraordinary nature. The statue is cast in copper and meticulously gilded with gold, radiating a celestial aura that commands reverence. The rich golden hue speaks of purity and spiritual illumination, while the copper base provides a grounding solidity. Padmasambhava is adorned with an elaborate crown, symbolizing his royal lineage and mastery over the spiritual realm. His robes, rendered in a rich, deep brown, are intricately detailed with ornate golden patterns that speak of his royal attire and the opulence of his spiritual influence. The gemstones embedded in his adornments – vibrant reds and blues – further enhance the visual splendor, hinting at the preciousness of the Dharma he brought.

Symbolism of Form and Gesture

In his left hand, Padmasambhava holds a vajra, the thunderbolt scepter, a symbol of indestructibility and the power to overcome obstacles. His right hand is raised, often depicted in the gesture of bestowing blessings or holding a ritual implement. Here, he holds aloft a phurba, a ritualistic dagger, and a damaru, a small hand drum, each laden with symbolic meaning. The phurba represents the subjugation of negative forces and the cutting through of ignorance, while the damaru's rhythmic beat is said to awaken consciousness. The flaming banner he holds signifies the victory of the Dharma over ignorance and delusion. The multiple faces atop the phurba suggest the myriad emanations of the enlightened mind, capable of responding to the needs of all sentient beings.

A Legacy of Devotion from Nepal

Originating from Nepal, the ancestral home of many Buddhist traditions and a hub of exquisite craftsmanship, this statue is a testament to the enduring legacy of Tibetan Buddhism. Nepalese artisans have honed their skills over generations, imbuing each piece with profound spiritual significance and aesthetic beauty. The intricate detailing, from the serene yet powerful expression on Padmasambhava's face to the delicate folds of his robes and the symbolic regalia, reflects a deep understanding and reverence for the spiritual icon. This statue serves not only as a beautiful object of art but also as a focal point for meditation, prayer, and contemplation, inviting the divine presence of Guru Padmasambhava into your sacred space. It is a powerful reminder of the path to enlightenment and the profound wisdom that can be attained through dedicated practice.

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.