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Avalokiteshvara Wearing a Five Crested Crown

$825
$1100
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This handsome Copper sculpture from the city of Patan in the Kathmandu Valley represents Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, who is extremely popular in Nepal. His is considered to be one of the eight tutelary deities of the valley and a devoted Buddhist is expected to perform his ritual (ashtami-vrata) on the eighth day of the bright fortnight (shukla-paksha) of each month.

With his right hip gently thrust sideways, the crowned figure of Avalokiteshvara stands here frontally, in perfect balance on a double lotus pedestal. The long stem extending to the height of the shoulder is held in the left arm and ends in a blooming flower, representing his fully-blooming compassion. The right hand meanwhile is extended in the gesture of charity.

His beautiful crown is five crested and the suave modeling, elegant simplicity and gentle, introspective facial features point to the deft hand of a master sculptor at work. On the forehead is a rectangular mark, and his hair is arranged in a tall chignon. The bodhisattva wears an ornamented dhoti, the long pleated folds of which fall elegantly between his legs.

Specifications
ZDX31
Copper Statue
Height: 21 inch
Width: 8.2 inch
Depth: 5 inch
Weight 4.20 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Embodiment of Compassion and Enlightenment

This exquisite copper statue depicts Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, in a form adorned with a magnificent five-crested crown. Avalokiteshvara, revered in Mahayana Buddhism, is a celestial being who has attained enlightenment but delays entering Nirvana to help all sentient beings achieve liberation from suffering. His name translates to "Lord who looks down," signifying his all-seeing, compassionate gaze upon the world. In many traditions, he is considered the embodiment of the compassion of all Buddhas.

The Symbolism of the Crown

The striking five-crested crown is a significant attribute that elevates this representation of Avalokiteshvara. In Buddhist iconography, a five-crested crown often symbolizes the five Buddhas of Wisdom, who represent the five skandhas or aggregates that constitute human existence. Adorning the bodhisattva with this crown highlights his mastery over these fundamental aspects of reality and his ability to guide beings through the intricacies of their own minds towards enlightenment. This particular depiction emphasizes Avalokiteshvara's role not just as a remover of suffering, but as a guide who understands the very fabric of existence.

Artistry and Cultural Heritage

Crafted from copper with meticulous attention to detail, this statue is a testament to the rich artistic traditions of Nepal. Nepalese artisans have long been renowned for their skill in metal casting, producing sacred objects that are both aesthetically stunning and deeply spiritual. The lustrous patina of the copper, combined with the delicate sculpting of the form, imbues the statue with an aura of divine presence. The flowing robes, intricate jewelry, and serene expression all contribute to a sense of graceful power and profound peace. This piece is more than just a religious artifact; it is a work of art that connects the viewer to centuries of devotional practice and artistic excellence.

A Beacon of Hope and Serenity

Avalokiteshvara is a central figure in Tibetan Buddhism, where he is often invoked in times of hardship and distress. Tales abound of his intervention, from saving devotees from drowning to protecting them from dangers. His presence is said to bring peace, solace, and the strength to overcome obstacles. This statue, with its benevolent gaze and posture of gentle readiness, serves as a constant reminder of the ever-present force of compassion in the universe. Whether placed in a home shrine, meditation space, or as a decorative piece, it offers a tangible link to these powerful spiritual ideals, inviting contemplation and fostering a sense of inner calm. The lotus flower, often associated with Avalokiteshvara and depicted here, further symbolizes purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening, blooming even in the muddiest waters.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Frequently Asked Questions
  • Q. Is the statue hollow or solid ?
    A. Brass statues are made through a process of clay casting, hence are hollow. Whereas, panchaloha bronze statues are made through a process of lost wax casting, hence they are solid.
  • Q. Can I return the statue ?
    A. Of course you can return a statue. Returns need to be initiated within seven (7) days after delivery. All returned items must be in new and unused condition, with all original tags and labels attached. To know more about our Return Policy, please visit Return Policy.
  • Q. Can you customise the statue for me ?
    A. For any customisation, kindly email us at help@exoticindia.com.
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