17" Guru Padmasambhava Seated on Ornament Throne | Copper Statue from Nepal

•

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.

17" Guru Padmasambhava Seated on Ornament Throne | Copper Statue from Nepal

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Name: 17" Guru Padmasambhava Seated on Ornament Throne | Copper Statue from Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: NLH079
Price: 1805.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1692

$2256

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, holds profound significance in Buddhism, especially Tibetan Buddhism. Described as the “Second Buddha,” he played a pivotal role in establishing Buddhism in Tibet. The depiction of Padmasambhava seated on an ornamented throne carries deep symbolic meaning within Buddhism. It symbolizes the elevated state of enlightenment, as Padmasambhava, having mastered the path to awakening, sits above intricate patterns and sacred symbols. The throne is an auspicious nature of the enlightened mind and the expanse of wisdom.

In Tibetan Buddhism, thrones are often adorned with intricate carvings and designs, reflecting the interconnectedness of all phenomena. The lotus, a common motif, signifies purity emerging from the mud of samsara, embodying the transformative journey toward enlightenment. The use of gold and colors on the thrones further emphasizes its sacred nature, aligning with the reverence accorded to the teachings of Padmasambhava.

Ultimately, the ornamented throne beneath Padmasambhava illustrates the inseparability of wisdom and compassion, offering practitioners a visual focal point for meditation and contemplation on the profound teachings of Guru Rinpoche within the rich land of Tibetan Buddhism.

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	NLH079
	Copper With Gold
	Height: 17 inch
	Width: 8 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 6.10 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.

The Great Guru of Oddiyana

This magnificent copper and gold statue depicts Guru Padmasambhava, the "Lotus-Born," a pivotal figure in Tibetan Buddhism. Revered as the second Buddha, he is credited with bringing Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century, subduing local deities and establishing monasteries. His presence on a richly ornamented throne signifies his divine status and the immense power he wields. The intricate craftsmanship of this piece, hailing from Nepal, reflects centuries of artistic tradition dedicated to honoring sacred figures.

Symbolism and Iconography

Guru Padmasambhava is shown seated in a posture of serene meditation, his hands in the mudra of dispelling fear and bestowing blessings. He holds a vajra (thunderbolt scepter) in his right hand, symbolizing indestructibility and skillful means, and rests his left hand on his lap, signifying the realization of emptiness. The elaborate aureole behind him, adorned with mythical creatures such as serpents and makaras (sea monsters), represents the cosmic forces that he mastered and integrated into the Buddhist path. The central figure above him is often interpreted as a manifestation of Amitabha Buddha, his spiritual father, underscoring his lineage and divine authority. The entire composition speaks of his triumph over ignorance and the establishment of enlightenment.

A Legacy of Wisdom and Compassion

Padmasambhava's journey to Tibet is a tale steeped in legend. It is said that he was born from a lotus flower in Lake Dhanakosha in the kingdom of Oddiyana. His arrival in Tibet was foretold, and he played a crucial role in consolidating the practice of Buddhism, establishing the Nyingma school, the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism. His teachings, hidden as terma (revealed treasures), continue to inspire millions. This statue serves as a tangible link to this profound spiritual legacy, inviting contemplation and devotion. The warm gleam of the gold plating over the copper not only enhances the visual splendor but also imbues the artifact with a sacred aura, making it a centerpiece for any spiritual or artistic collection.

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.