Amitayus

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Name: Amitayus
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZO41
Price: 185.00 USD
Availability: InStock

₽14,295

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ZO41
	Copper Sculpture gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 5 inch
	Width: 3.4 inch
	Depth: 2.5 inch
	Weight 3 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Buddha of Limitless Life

Behold this exquisite representation of a celestial Buddha, a potent symbol of longevity, merit, and wisdom. Crafted with meticulous detail from copper and adorned with 24 Karat gold gilding, this miniature sculpture captures the serene presence and profound significance of a revered figure in the Buddhist pantheon. The small dimensions make it ideal for placement on a personal shrine, meditation altar, or as a meaningful addition to any art collection.

The Story Behind the Image

In the rich tapestry of Buddhist mythology, there exists a Buddha whose name resonates with the promise of boundless life and boundless merit: Amitayus. Often invoked for healing, long life, and overcoming obstacles, Amitayus is considered an emanation of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light. While Amitabha reigns over the Western Paradise, Sukhavati, Amitayus embodies the longevity aspect of enlightened existence. The practice associated with Amitayus is deeply rooted in tantric Buddhism. According to tradition, meditating on Amitayus and reciting his mantra is believed to bestow blessings for a long and healthy life, free from suffering. These practices are also aimed at increasing one’s positive karmic potential, leading to spiritual growth and the eventual attainment of enlightenment. Many consider Amitayus the source of all the long-life empowerments and tantric practices.

Design and Symbolism

This captivating sculpture depicts the deity seated in the lotus position, a posture symbolic of perfect balance and enlightenment. His hands are gracefully positioned in his lap in the Dhyana mudra, the meditative gesture, holding a vase filled with the nectar of immortality. The vessel signifies the source of his power, the divine elixir that sustains life and transcends the limitations of mortality. The intricate crown adorning his head denotes his status as a Sambhogakaya Buddha, one who dwells in the celestial realm and radiates wisdom and compassion to all beings. Ornate jewelry embellishes his body, signifying his mastery over the material realm and his transcendence of worldly attachments. The halo surrounding him represents his radiant aura, an emanation of his infinite light and pure wisdom. Every detail, from the gentle curve of his smile to the delicate folds of his robes, contributes to the overall sense of peace, power, and benevolence that emanates from this divine representation. The lotus base upon which he sits is more than a platform: it symbolizes purity and spiritual awakening, rising unsullied from the muddy waters of samsara.

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.