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15" Padmasana Shadakshari Lokeshvara

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Name: 15" Padmasana Shadakshari Lokeshvara
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: NLH118
Price: 775.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$726.75

$969

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

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Specifications

	NLH118
	Copper With Gold
	Height: 15 inch
	Width: 10.5 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 2.10 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.

Embodiment of Boundless Compassion

This exquisite representation of Shadakshari Lokeshvara, the six-syllabled manifestation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is a breathtaking work of Nepalese artistry. Crafted from copper and richly gilded, this statue stands as a beacon of spiritual devotion and profound artistic skill. Lokeshvara, the "Lord Who Looks Down," is revered throughout Mahayana Buddhism as the embodiment of boundless compassion, dedicated to alleviating the suffering of all sentient beings. His multi-faceted form, as depicted here, symbolizes the myriad ways in which he extends his benevolent gaze and helping hands to the world. ––––––––––

The Manifestation of Thousand Arms

The most striking feature of this piece is the multitude of arms radiating outwards from the central figure. Each hand, in its own unique gesture or pose, represents the Bodhisattva's tireless efforts to guide beings towards enlightenment. The primary pair of hands are clasped in Añjali Mudra, a gesture of prayer and reverence, signifying his pure intention. The hundreds of other hands, fanning out in a halo, suggest his omnipresence and his ability to respond to the pleas of all beings simultaneously. The intricate detail in each hand speaks to the meticulous craftsmanship involved, a testament to the sacred tradition of Nepalese metalwork. The stacked faces at the apex of the mandorla further amplify this theme of boundless awareness, each face embodying a different facet of compassionate wisdom. ––––––––––

A Symbol of Divine Presence

The gilded copper medium lends a divine aura to the statue, with the gold symbolizing purity, enlightenment, and the celestial realm. The vibrant enamelwork adorning the elaborate aureole adds a layer of visual richness, with blues and greens evoking the vastness of the sky and the earth, the domains where Lokeshvara's compassion manifests. This statue is not merely an object of beauty but a powerful focal point for meditation and contemplation, inviting the viewer to connect with the profound qualities of empathy, wisdom, and boundless love. It serves as a constant reminder of the potential for compassion within all beings and the spiritual journey towards liberation from suffering, echoing the ancient tales of Lokeshvara's unwavering commitment to humanity.

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.