Buddha in the Varada Mudra

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Name: Buddha in the Varada Mudra
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: RL38
Price: 260.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$299

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	RL38
	Copper Sculpture
	Height: 8.3 inch
	Width: 5.8 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1.75 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.

A Glimpse into Tranquility

This exquisite Nepalese copper sculpture invites a sense of profound peace and generosity into any space. Seated in a meditative posture, the figure embodies the serene wisdom and compassionate nature of the Buddha. The smooth, polished finish of the copper lends a warm, inviting glow, enhancing the sculpture’s aesthetic appeal and creating an atmosphere of tranquility. The intricate details, from the cascading folds of the robes to the delicate lotus petal design of the base, showcase the artistry and devotion poured into its creation.

The Mudra of Giving

The hand posture, or mudra, is of particular significance. Here, the Buddha is depicted in the Varada Mudra, also known as the boon-granting gesture. The right hand extends downward, palm facing outward, symbolizing charity, compassion, and the granting of wishes. In Buddhist iconography, different hand gestures represent specific states of mind or events in the Buddha’s life. The Varada Mudra encapsulates the Buddha’s boundless compassion and his willingness to alleviate suffering. It is a reminder of the potential for generosity and kindness within each of us. It suggests that the blessings of the divine are constantly available for all who seek them.

Crafted in Nepal: A Legacy of Art

This sculpture hails from Nepal, a land steeped in Buddhist tradition and renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship. Nepalese artists have long been masters of metalwork, their skills honed over generations. The creation of Buddhist statues is not merely a craft, but a sacred practice, imbued with spiritual significance. The meticulous attention to detail, the adherence to traditional iconographic principles, and the overall artistry reflect a deep respect for the Buddha’s teachings. Bringing this piece into your home is like welcoming a piece of that rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

The Story Behind the Symbol

The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was a prince who renounced his royal life to seek enlightenment and find an end to suffering. Through years of meditation and self-discipline, he achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha, "the awakened one." He then dedicated his life to teaching others the path to liberation, sharing his wisdom and compassion with all who sought it. This sculpture serves as a reminder of that profound journey and the Buddha's unwavering commitment to helping others. Displaying it in your home or office can serve as a constant inspiration to cultivate inner peace, practice compassion, and strive for enlightenment.

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.