Placed on a golden platform which is an amalgamation of royal Padmasana and Simhasana this large thousand-armed and eleven-headed Nepalese statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara is a representation of the endless powers and compassion of the deity. The symmetry and oneness between the ten blissful faces of Avalokiteshvara, the balance between his multiple hands and bodies, and the glorious aureole underline the skill of the artisan in making this gilded copper statue. Refined aesthetics of Nepalese art can be seen in the tiny stones perfectly studded in Avalokiteshvara’s opulent jewelry.
Embodiment of Infinite Compassion
This magnificent statue, meticulously crafted in Nepal, depicts Avalokiteshvara in his thousand-armed form, a powerful manifestation of boundless compassion and mercy. Avalokiteshvara, also known as Chenrezig in Tibetan Buddhism, is the Bodhisattva of Compassion, revered as the spiritual son of the Buddha. His thousand arms symbolize his ability to reach out and offer solace and protection to all beings in the universe. This image captures the essence of his omnipresent care and his unwavering commitment to alleviate suffering.
A Vision of Enlightenment
The sculpture is a breathtaking testament to Nepalese artistry, with each detail rendered with profound reverence. The central figure of Avalokiteshvara is adorned with serene facial expressions, conveying peace and profound wisdom. The multiple heads stacked above represent different levels of consciousness and understanding, culminating in the uppermost head which is often depicted as the Buddha or a representation of ultimate enlightenment. The multitude of arms, emanating outwards like rays of light, are each intricately sculpted and hold various symbolic implements, signifying different skillful means employed by the Bodhisattva to guide sentient beings towards liberation.
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Sacred Aura and Golden Radiance
The entire idol is copper gilded with pure gold, imbuing it with an ethereal radiance and a sacred aura that commands awe and devotion. The lustrous gold finish symbolizes purity, enlightenment, and the celestial nature of Avalokiteshvara. The intricate detailing of the vast aureole, adorned with elaborate patterns and textures, further enhances the divine presence of the deity. Each hand, outstretched and open, seems to offer blessings and protection, inviting contemplation and spiritual connection. The base upon which Avalokiteshvara stands is equally ornate, featuring traditional motifs and decorative elements that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Himalayas. This sculpture is not merely an object of art; it is a powerful spiritual conduit, designed to inspire practitioners and bring a sense of peace and divine presence to any sacred space. It serves as a constant reminder of the Bodhisattva's promise to remain in the world until all beings are free from suffering.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.
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