8.5" Tsongkhapa and His Disciples | Gilded Copper Statue from Nepal

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8.5" Tsongkhapa and His Disciples | Gilded Copper Statue from Nepal

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Name: 8.5" Tsongkhapa and His Disciples | Gilded Copper Statue from Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: MIU210
Price: 1730.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1622.25

$2163

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Tsongkhapa, the eminent figure in Tibetan Buddhism, with his two disciples, Gyaltsab Je, and Khedrub Je. This trio forms a foundational trinity within the Gelug tradition, symbolizing the transmission of wisdom and the continuity of the teachings. Gyaltsab Je, also known as Gyaltsab Rinpoche, was Tsongkhapa’s principal disciple and regent. He played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating Tsongkhapa’s teachings after the master’s passing. Gyaltsab Je continued to uphold the Gelug lineage, ensuring its scholarly and spiritual integrity.

Khedrub Je, or Khedrub Rinpoche, stands as another key disciple of Tsongkhapa. Known for his erudition and spiritual insight, Khedrub contributed to the expansion of the Gelug tradition. He played a significant role in maintaining the purity of the teaching and guiding disciples along the path to enlightenment.

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Specifications

	MIU210
	COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
	Height: 8.5 inch
	Width: 18 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 4.90 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.

A Radiant Legacy: Tsongkhapa and His Disciples

From the heart of Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual heritage and exquisite craftsmanship, comes this resplendent gilded copper statue set. At its center stands the venerable Tsongkhapa, the esteemed founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Renowned for his profound scholarship and spiritual insights, Tsongkhapa, often depicted as a scholar-monk, is a figure of immense reverence. His teachings, which emphasize a balanced approach to wisdom and compassion, have guided countless practitioners for centuries. This finely detailed sculpture captures his serene presence, with hands clasped in a gesture of devotion and profound contemplation. The ensemble is further graced by the presence of two of his devoted disciples, flanking Tsongkhapa with equal dignity and grace. These figures represent the continuity of the spiritual lineage, the passing down of knowledge from master to student. Each disciple, with their distinct expressions and postures, embodies the dedication and earnestness of a spiritual journey. The serene countenances and mindful gestures are testaments to their commitment to the Dharma. The central figure, Tsongkhapa, is adorned with ornate robes, intricately detailed with patterns that speak to the meticulous artistry of the Nepalese artisans. The disciples, too, wear similarly rich attire, reflecting their status within the monastic order. ––––––––––––––––––––

Symbolism and Craftsmanship

The use of copper, a metal associated with Venus and known for its conductive properties, is then brought to life with a lustrous layer of gold. This gilding is not merely for aesthetic appeal; gold, in Buddhist iconography, symbolizes enlightenment, purity, and the radiant nature of the awakened mind. The brilliant sheen of the gold imbues the statues with a divine aura, making them powerful focal points for meditation and devotion. Each figure is presented seated on a lotus throne, a universally recognized symbol of purity, spiritual awakening, and transcendence over worldly desires. The lotus, blooming from muddy waters yet remaining immaculate, represents the Buddha's ability to navigate the complexities of existence without being tainted by them. The craftsmanship evident in this set is truly exceptional. The delicate carving of the robes, the subtle rendering of facial features, and the intricate embellishments on the lotus bases all showcase the skill and dedication passed down through generations of Nepalese artisans. These statues are not just objects of religious devotion; they are also masterworks of art, reflecting a deep understanding of spiritual symbolism and a mastery of material. Owning this set is akin to bringing a piece of Tibetan Buddhist history and a profound spiritual presence into your home, a tangible connection to a legacy of wisdom and compassion.

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.