Step into the realm
of Avalokitesvara, a revered bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism embodying
boundless compassion. Widely venerated across Buddhist traditions,
Avalokitesvara manifests with a thousand arms and eleven heads, symbolizing the
rich reach of compassionate benevolence.
Avalokiteshvara in a
pose of profound contemplation, radiating compassion to all sentient beings.
The sacred mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” echoes, a melodic invocation that
practitioners chant to invite the bodhisattva’s compassionate presence and
nurture a heart brimming with empathy.
Beyond visual
representations, Avalokiteshvara’s compassionate influence extends into the
actions of devotees, inspiring kindness and mercy in their daily lives. As a
bodhisattva dedicated to alleviating the suffering of all beings,
Avalokitesvara becomes a guiding force, encouraging practitioners on the
transformative path toward enlightenment.
Embodiment of Boundless Compassion
This exquisite copper statue from Nepal captures the profound presence of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Known as the one who "looks down upon the world," Avalokiteshvara is a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism, revered for his boundless mercy and his vow to liberate all sentient beings from suffering. The sculpture is a testament to the skill of Nepalese artisans, who have meticulously rendered the deity in all his multifaceted glory.
A Symphony of Hands and Faces
The defining feature of this depiction is Avalokiteshvara's thousand arms, a powerful symbol of his ability to reach out and help all those in need across the vast expanse of the universe. Each hand is depicted with intricate detail, some held in prayerful or meditative gestures, others poised to offer blessings or protection. The central head, serene and compassionate, is crowned with a tiered array of smaller heads, representing the different manifestations and wisdom of the Bodhisattva. This hierarchical arrangement symbolizes Avalokiteshvara's ability to perceive and respond to the diverse suffering of all beings, adapting his form and methods to offer the most effective aid.
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Artistic Mastery and Sacred Symbolism
Crafted from high-quality copper, this statue showcases the rich tradition of metalwork in Nepal, a practice deeply intertwined with spiritual devotion. The dark, antique patina of the copper enhances the depth and detail of the carving, giving the piece a timeless, sacred aura. The elaborate aureole behind Avalokiteshvara, resembling a radiant, fanned peacock tail, further emphasizes his divine splendor and auspicious nature. Each feather-like element is adorned with smaller devotional motifs, creating a sense of movement and cosmic energy. The intricate base upon which Avalokiteshvara stands is equally detailed, reflecting the layered philosophical concepts and devotional practices associated with this revered Bodhisattva. This piece serves not only as an object of devotion but also as a magnificent work of art, embodying centuries of spiritual and artistic heritage from the heart of the Himalayas.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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