24" Guru Padmasambhava Copper Statue from Nepal

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24" Guru Padmasambhava Copper Statue from Nepal

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$2985.75

$3981

25% off

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Only 1 available

Born from the lotus- the symbol of supreme enlightenment in Buddhism, Guru Padmasambhava in Nepalese Buddhism is arguably the most popular and revered figure in the region. The gilded copper Nepalese statue of Padmasambhava envisions him in the garb of a traveler, with shoes, a robe, and a skull cap whose earflaps turn upward, due to the gushing winds of the mountainous region. The strings of Padmasambhava’s staff also display a dynamism, which contrasts with the stillness of the master’s expression.

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Specifications

	MIS710
	COPPER WITH GOLD PLATED
	Height: 24 inch
	Width: 18 inch
	Depth: 14 inch
	Weight 16.10 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 Precious Guru

This magnificent statue depicts Guru Padmasambhava, a pivotal figure in the transmission of Buddhism to Tibet. Crafted from copper and meticulously plated with gold, this Nepalese masterpiece stands at an impressive 24 inches in height, 18 inches in width, and 14 inches in depth, emanating an aura of profound peace and power. This representation invites reflection on the transformative journey of Buddhism and the enduring legacy of the "Lotus-Born" Guru. The statue's exquisite detail, from the intricate patterns adorning his robes to the serene expression on his face, reflects the skill and devotion of the artisans who created it.

A Historical and Mythological Figure

Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche (Precious Guru), is revered as the "Second Buddha" by Tibetan Buddhists. Legend recounts that he was not born in the conventional manner but miraculously arose from a lotus flower in the land of Oddiyana. According to Tibetan legends, he traveled to Tibet in the 8th century at the invitation of King Trisong Detsen to tame the forces obstructing the establishment of the first Buddhist monastery at Samye. Through his extraordinary powers and mastery of tantric practices, he subdued demons and local deities, transforming them into protectors of the Dharma. His arrival marked a turning point in Tibetan history, paving the way for the flourishing of Buddhist philosophy, art, and culture. Padmasambhava founded the Nyingma school, the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, emphasizing direct experience and esoteric teachings. Stories abound of his ability to manifest in various forms, communicate with enlightened beings, and subdue negative energies, solidifying his image as a powerful and compassionate spiritual guide.

Iconography and Attributes

The statue presents Padmasambhava in a seated posture, embodying both royal dignity and contemplative serenity. His attire combines the robes of a monk, a lama's cape, and the boots of a king, reflecting his diverse roles as a teacher, healer, and spiritual leader. In his left hand, he holds a kapala, a skull cup, symbolizing the transformation of negative emotions into wisdom. Within the cup sits a vase containing the elixir of immortality (amrita). His right hand holds a vajra, a ritual implement representing the indestructible nature of enlightenment. Leaning against his left shoulder is a khatvanga, a trident-like staff adorned with symbolic ornaments, representing his consorts and the integration of skillful means and wisdom. His face, with its piercing eyes and subtle smile, reflects both his compassionate nature and his mastery over the elements. The lotus throne upon which he sits symbolizes purity and spiritual awakening. The copper construction overlaid with gold-plating adds to the sacred ambience of the statue, creating an atmosphere of reverence and contemplation for any space it inhabits. This statue embodies the power and presence of Guru Rinpoche, a visual representation of the enlightened state and a powerful tool for spiritual 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.