4" Small Superfine Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara Copper Statue

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MADE IN INDIA.

4" Small Superfine Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara Copper Statue

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Name: 4" Small Superfine Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara Copper Statue
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIS886
Price: 365.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$342

$456

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Only 1 available

Avalokiteshvara, in his early Bodhisattva journey, made a profound vow that if he ever became disheartened in saving sentient beings, his body would shatter into pieces. Despite his unwavering determination, countless beings continued to suffer, and he struggled to fulfill his vow. His head shattered into 11 pieces, but Amitabha Buddha, witnessing his immense compassion, granted him 11 heads to hear the cries of suffering beings.

Avalokiteshvara's hands, however, were insufficient to provide aid to all in need, and they too shattered. Amitabha Buddha, using his miraculous power, bestowed upon Avalokiteshvara a new form with 1000 compassionate hands, each containing the eye of wisdom.

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Specifications

	MIS886
	Copper
	Height: 4 inch
	Width: 3.5 inch
	Depth: 2 inch
	Weight 300 gm

Delivery and Return Policies

	Ships in 1-3 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.

Embodiment of Infinite Compassion

This exquisite copper statue depicts the Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara, also known as Kuan Yin or Chenrezig in different traditions. Avalokiteshvara is the Bodhisattva of Compassion, a deeply revered figure in Mahayana Buddhism. The multifaceted form of the deity symbolizes the boundless nature of compassion, capable of reaching out to all sentient beings in the universe. The numerous arms represent the myriad methods and skillful means Avalokiteshvara employs to alleviate suffering and guide individuals towards enlightenment. Each hand may hold a symbolic object, though in this finely detailed rendition, they are arrayed to signify the vastness of his benevolent reach, with the primary pair held in prayer at the heart. ––––––––––

The Legend of the Thousand Arms

According to legend, Avalokiteshvara once experienced profound grief upon realizing the vastness of suffering in the world. In response to this immense sorrow, his body fractured into eleven pieces. Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, then reformed Avalokiteshvara, bestowing upon him a thousand arms and eleven faces. Each arm is said to have an eye in its palm, representing wisdom and the ability to see and address all forms of suffering. The eleven faces, often arranged in tiers as seen in this representation, symbolize the different stages of spiritual realization and the ability to understand the suffering of all beings from various perspectives. The presence of Amitabha Buddha at the apex of this statue signifies the direct lineage and blessing of the Buddha of the Pure Land, further amplifying the power and efficacy of Avalokiteshvara's compassion. ––––––––––

Artistic Mastery and Symbolism

Crafted from copper, this statue showcases the meticulous artistry and spiritual devotion inherent in Nepalese Buddhist iconography. The fine detailing, from the delicate folds of the drapery to the intricate expressions on each of the countless faces, speaks to the skill of the artisans. The radiating aura, formed by numerous smaller figures and decorative elements, evokes the divine presence and the boundless light of compassion emanating from the deity. The base of the statue, often adorned with symbolic motifs such as lotuses or guardian figures, provides a stable foundation for this powerful representation of spiritual awakening. This particular piece, with its compact size, makes it a suitable devotional object for personal altars, meditation spaces, or as a meaningful gift to invoke blessings of peace, well-being, and spiritual growth. Its presence serves as a constant reminder of the transformative power of compassion and the potential for every being to embody these qualities.

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.