6" Guru Milarepa from Nepal

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Name: 6" Guru Milarepa from Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIV839
Price: 535.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$615

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	MIV839
	Copper Statue
	Height: 6 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

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Return within 7 days of
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Fully Insured

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to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Revered Sage of Song: A Masterpiece of Milarepa

This exquisite copper statue captures the essence of Milarepa, the renowned Tibetan yogi, poet, and saint of the Kagyu sect of Buddhism. Crafted with meticulous detail in Nepal, this artwork embodies the profound spiritual journey and teachings of one of Buddhism's most beloved figures. Milarepa's life, marked by hardship and eventual enlightenment, serves as an enduring testament to the power of devotion and perseverance. He is often depicted in his characteristic ascetic posture, a reflection of his years spent in solitary meditation in the caves of the Himalayas. The statue portrays Milarepa with a serene countenance, his body gracefully seated in a meditative pose. His right hand is raised, fingers gently touching his ear, a gesture often interpreted as him listening to the profound teachings of the Dharma, or perhaps to the whispers of the universe itself. This pose, evocative of deep contemplation, invites viewers to connect with their own inner wisdom and stillness. The rich patina of the copper adds to the statue's timeless appeal, suggesting the weight of history and the enduring power of spiritual practice. ––––––––––––––––––

Echoes of the Himalayas: Craftsmanship and Symbolism

The artistry of this Nepalese creation is evident in every curve and detail. The flowing robes, intricately adorned with traditional patterns, speak to the skill of the artisan. The serene expression on Milarepa's face, with its gentle smile and downcast eyes, conveys a sense of peace and inner strength. The inclusion of the small deer at the base of the statue holds significant symbolic meaning. In Buddhist tradition, the deer represents gentleness, innocence, and the wild, untamed nature of the mind that can be guided towards enlightenment. It is also reminiscent of the Deer Park Sermon in Sarnath, where Buddha first taught the Dharma. The vibrant blue inlay on Milarepa's head further accentuates the sacredness of the figure, often representing the vastness of the sky or the wisdom of the enlightened mind. This statue is more than just an object; it is a conduit to spiritual reflection, a reminder of the path to liberation, and a beautiful representation of Tibetan cultural heritage. Whether placed in a meditation space or as a centerpiece of devotion, it brings an aura of peace and profound spiritual presence.

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.