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MADE IN INDIA.

19" Superfine Buddha Mandala with Stone

$2933
Includes any tariffs and taxes
Specifications
MIS861
COPPER WITH GOLD PLATED
Height: 6 inch
Width: 19 inch
Depth: 19 inch
Weight 3.80 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
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 Cosmic Map of Enlightenment

This magnificent mandala, meticulously crafted from copper and richly gold-plated, is more than just a decorative object; it is a profound symbol of the Buddhist cosmos and a gateway to spiritual understanding. Mandalas, derived from the Sanskrit word for "circle," represent the universe in its entirety, a sacred space where enlightened beings reside. In Tibetan Buddhism, they are often used as aids for meditation, guiding practitioners towards a deeper connection with the divine and the realization of their own Buddha-nature. The intricate detailing of this piece speaks volumes of the artisans' devotion and skill. At its heart, a serene Buddha sits in meditation, the embodiment of peace and wisdom. The concentric rings surrounding him are not merely decorative but symbolize the stages of enlightenment, each layer unfolding a new dimension of spiritual awareness. The geometric patterns within the mandala are reminiscent of the architecture of a celestial palace, a sacred dwelling place for deities and enlightened beings, evoking the imagery found in ancient texts and thangka paintings.

Sacred Geometry and Divine Adornment

The symbolism extends to the carefully chosen gemstones that adorn its outer rim. The vibrant turquoise, a stone revered for its protective qualities and connection to the heavens, symbolizes wisdom and the boundless sky. The fiery coral, often associated with vitality, courage, and warding off negative energies, adds another layer of spiritual significance. Together, these precious stones, interspersed with smaller red gems, create a dazzling display that enhances the mandala's inherent sacredness. The arrangement of these stones can be seen as mirroring the constellations in the night sky or the jewel ornaments that adorn celestial beings, further bridging the earthly realm with the divine. In ancient traditions, the creation of mandalas was a sacred ritual in itself. Monks would spend weeks or even months meticulously constructing them from colored sand, only to ceremoniously dissolve them once completed, symbolizing the impermanence of all things and the transient nature of worldly existence. While this mandala is crafted from enduring materials, its spirit embodies that same profound message of detachment and the ultimate pursuit of spiritual liberation. This piece serves as a constant reminder of the path to enlightenment, a visual mantra that can inspire mindfulness and cultivate inner peace. Its substantial size, at 19 inches in diameter, makes it a commanding presence, capable of transforming any space into a sanctuary of contemplation.

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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