8" Bhumisparsha Buddha from Nepal

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Name: 8" Bhumisparsha Buddha from Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: WSA075
Price: 410.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$472

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	WSA075
	Copper
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 3.5 inch
	Depth: 6 inch
	Weight 1.34 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

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to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Earth Witnessing Gesture

This exquisite copper statue from Nepal depicts the Buddha in the Bhumisparsha Mudra, the earth-touching gesture. This iconic posture symbolizes the moment of enlightenment, when Siddhartha Gautama, seated beneath the Bodhi tree, was tempted by the demon Mara. As Mara's armies unleashed their fury, the young prince remained steadfast, his right hand extended downwards, palm open, fingertips gently touching the earth. He called upon the Earth itself to bear witness to his purity and his right to achieve Buddhahood, a moment of profound victory over worldly desires and illusions. This particular rendering captures the serene yet powerful essence of that transformative event. The intricate details of the Buddha's robes, draped in a manner that speaks of both simplicity and deep contemplation, are meticulously crafted. The golden accents adorning the shoulder and the base add a touch of regal splendor, hinting at the Buddha's inherent divinity. The expression on the Buddha's face is one of profound peace and unwavering resolve, a testament to the inner strength cultivated through years of ascetic practice and philosophical inquiry.

A Sacred Craft from Nepal

Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual tradition and a cradle of Buddhist art, has long been a center for the creation of sacred objects. The artisans of Nepal, drawing upon generations of inherited skill and profound understanding of Buddhist iconography, imbue each piece with spiritual significance. This statue is a testament to that rich heritage, crafted from high-quality copper, a metal revered for its auspicious properties and its ability to conduct spiritual energy. The casting process, often a labor of love passed down through families, ensures that every nuance of the form is captured, from the subtle curvature of the eyelids to the precise folds of the robe. The Bhumisparsha Mudra holds immense significance in Buddhist philosophy. It represents overcoming obstacles, the grounding of wisdom, and the unwavering commitment to truth. In Buddhist tales, when Buddha touched the earth, the earth goddess Sthavara appeared to confirm his enlightenment, thus vanquishing Mara's final assault. This gesture is a reminder that even in the face of immense challenges, inner peace and unwavering resolve can lead to ultimate victory. Owning this statue is not just acquiring a beautiful object; it is inviting a tangible representation of enlightenment and spiritual resilience into your space.

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.