Buddha in Dharmachakra Mudra

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Name: Buddha in Dharmachakra Mudra
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: EO72
Price: 240.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$276

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	EO72
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 8.5 inch
	Width: 5 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1.20 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Golden Sermon

Behold a radiant embodiment of enlightenment, meticulously handcrafted by Nepalese artisans. This serene Buddha statue, crafted from copper and gilded with 24 Karat gold, emanates a peaceful presence. Seated in the lotus position, this image encapsulates the essence of Buddha’s teachings, a beacon of wisdom and tranquility for your home or sacred space.

Dharmachakra Mudra: The Turning of the Wheel

The significance of this piece lies in its depiction of the Dharmachakra Mudra, often translated as the "Wheel of Dharma" gesture. This mudra represents one of the most important moments in the life of the Buddha: his first sermon after attaining enlightenment in Sarnath. Having realized the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, Buddha Shakyamuni shared his profound insights with his former ascetic companions. The mudra itself is formed by the two hands held against the chest, with the thumbs and index fingers of each hand forming a circle. The right hand faces outwards, symbolizing the transmission of knowledge to the world, while the left hand faces inwards, representing the receptive nature of wisdom. The circles formed by the fingers symbolize the Wheel of Dharma, a metaphor for the continuous cycle of teaching and practice that leads to liberation. Imagine the power of that first sermon, the energy that rippled outwards, touching and transforming countless lives over millennia! This image captures that potent moment, frozen in time and rendered in exquisite detail.

Nepalese Craftsmanship: A Legacy of Devotion

This exceptional piece is a testament to the rich artistic heritage of Nepal. For centuries, Nepalese artisans have been renowned for their skill in creating sacred art, particularly Buddhist and Hindu sculptures. Passed down through generations, these skills are not merely crafts, but acts of devotion and spiritual practice. The process of creating such a statue is a deeply meditative one, with each strike of the hammer, each application of gold, infused with intention and reverence. The use of 24 Karat gold, a precious and enduring material, further underscores the sacredness of the image. Displaying this beautiful example of art and spirituality is not just about acquiring a beautiful piece, but also about connecting to the enduring legacy of Nepalese artistry and the profound wisdom of the Buddha.

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.