The Buddha with Finely Carved Robe

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Name: The Buddha with Finely Carved Robe
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZAM87
Price: 330.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$380

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ZAM87
	Copper Statue
	Height: 8.3 inch
	Width: 4.3 inch
	Depth: 3 inch
	Weight 1.27 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

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order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

A Serene Icon of Enlightenment

This exquisite copper statue captures the profound tranquility and enlightened presence of the Buddha. Seated in a meditative posture, the figure radiates a sense of inner peace that is both powerful and calming. The intricate detailing of the robes is a testament to the artistry and dedication of the craftspeople, imbuing the statue with a lifelike quality and depth. Each fold and drape of the fabric is rendered with remarkable precision, suggesting movement and the weight of the material, while subtle textures add to its rich visual appeal. The Buddha's face is serene, with closed eyes that suggest deep contemplation and a gentle, benevolent expression. The urna, the small tuft of hair between the eyebrows, is a traditional mark of a Buddha, symbolizing spiritual insight. The ushnisha, the cranial protuberance, signifies wisdom and enlightenment. This representation aligns with iconic depictions found across Buddhist traditions, reflecting centuries of devotion and artistic interpretation.

The Symbolism of the Lotus Throne

The Buddha is seated upon a magnificent lotus throne, a potent symbol in Buddhism representing purity, spiritual awakening, and detachment. Just as the lotus flower rises unblemished from muddy waters, the Buddha's teachings guide beings to transcend suffering and achieve enlightenment. The base of the throne itself is adorned with ornate patterns, possibly drawing inspiration from ancient motifs that convey auspiciousness and protection. The decorative elements, such as the stylized faces and geometric designs, add a layer of cultural richness and spiritual significance to the overall piece. In Buddhist lore, the lotus is often associated with the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, the embodiment of compassion, and the goddess Lakshmi, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. The intricate carvings on the throne may also evoke imagery of Nagas, divine serpent beings often depicted as guardians of sacred places and treasures, further enhancing the aura of sanctity surrounding the Buddha.

Craftsmanship and Cultural Resonance

Crafted from high-quality copper, this statue possesses a timeless appeal and an enduring patina that will deepen and mature with age, becoming a cherished heirloom. The weight and solidity of the copper convey a sense of permanence and gravitas, making it a substantial and impressive addition to any sacred space, altar, or meditation room. Its carefully balanced form and detailed finish speak to a tradition of artistic excellence that has been passed down through generations, particularly in regions where Buddhism has flourished, such as Tibet, Nepal, and parts of Southeast Asia. This statue serves not only as a decorative object but as a tangible reminder of the path to inner peace and the enduring 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.