16" Dragon Buddha From Nepal
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16" Dragon Buddha From Nepal

$2278.50
$3038
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The dragon king deity of Mahayana Buddhism, also known as Lord Sagara, is a protective or guardian deity. He is one of the twenty-eight guardians of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. As the presiding deity over rain (Sagara translates to ocean, which is where all rainshowers end up), He is the Buddhist equivalent of the Hindu deity, Lord Indra.


The dragon king murti that you see on this page is a gilded copper composition. Copper, which as a medium features heavily in the upper echelons of Nepalese sculptural tradition, is superior to brass and comes with pure metallic gilding such as in this one. It is to be found in the superb bone structure of Sagara’s face and details of His flowing robes.


Peace and serenity predominate the personality of Sagar. Set off by the wrathful dragon face looming over His calm head.

Specifications
MIU125
Copper Gilded with Gold
Height: 16 inch
Width: 6 inch
Depth: 5 inch
Weight 3.30 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.

Embrace Auspicious Power: The Dragon-Crowned Bodhisattva of Nepal

From the sacred lands of Nepal, this magnificent statue embodies a profound confluence of spiritual power and mythical grandeur. Crafted from copper and meticulously gilded with gold, this piece stands as a testament to the exquisite artistry and deep spiritual heritage of the region. The radiant gold leaf, shimmering against the rich copper, imparts an aura of divine presence, inviting contemplation and reverence.

A Harmonious Union of Strength and Compassion

At the heart of this statue is a serene Bodhisattva, a being dedicated to enlightenment and the liberation of all sentient beings. Their tranquil expression and poised demeanor speak of immeasurable compassion and inner peace. Yet, what sets this representation apart is the majestic dragon that encircles them, its head crowned above the Bodhisattva's own. Dragons in Tibetan Buddhism are not merely fearsome beasts, but potent symbols of power, wisdom, and good fortune. They are guardians of spiritual treasures and represent the unfettered energy of the enlightened mind. The coiled form of the dragon signifies the mastery of primal forces, demonstrating that even the most formidable energies can be harnessed for the path of awakening.

Symbolism Rooted in Ancient Lore

The integration of the dragon with the Bodhisattva evokes rich mythological narratives. In various Buddhist traditions, powerful deities and enlightened beings are often depicted accompanied by dragons, signifying their dominion over elemental forces and their capacity to overcome obstacles. The dragon can also represent the awakening of spiritual energy, or Kundalini, which rises through the chakras, leading to profound spiritual realization. This statue, therefore, becomes a powerful visual metaphor for the integration of worldly power with spiritual wisdom, a harmonious balance that allows one to navigate the complexities of life with grace and strength.

A Masterpiece of Nepalese Craftsmanship

Each detail of this statue, from the intricate folds of the Bodhisattva's robes to the powerful musculature of the dragon, is rendered with exceptional skill by Nepalese artisans. The gilded copper not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also signifies the preciousness of the spiritual path and the ultimate purity of enlightenment. This piece is more than just a decorative object; it is a conduit for spiritual energy, a reminder of the boundless potential within and the profound wisdom that can be attained through dedicated practice. Owning this Dragon-Crowned Bodhisattva is to invite into your space a powerful symbol of auspiciousness, protection, and the transformative journey of spiritual awakening.

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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