Chenrezig

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Name: Chenrezig
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: RI03
Price: 440.00 USD
Availability: InStock

CA$629

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	RI03
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold and Gemstones
	Height: 8.5 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 1.65 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.

A Manifestation of Compassion

This exquisitely crafted copper sculpture presents a radiant vision of Avalokiteśvara, also known as Chenrezig in Tibetan Buddhism. Gilded with 24-karat gold, the statue embodies the Bodhisattva of Compassion's serene power and profound dedication to liberating all beings from suffering. The statue's surface shimmers with the warmth of the precious metal, reflecting the boundless compassion that emanates from the deity. Notice the intricate detailing throughout the piece, from the delicate rendering of the face to the elaborate ornaments and crown. The use of gemstones adds to the richness and sacredness of the sculpture.

The Four-Armed Embodiment of Love

Avalokiteśvara, revered across many Buddhist traditions, is considered the embodiment of the compassion of all Buddhas. He is often depicted with four arms, each holding a symbolic object representing his compassionate activities. In this form, his primary hands are pressed together in the Anjali Mudra, a gesture of prayer and reverence, symbolizing the potential for enlightenment that resides within each of us. The other two hands hold a mala, a string of prayer beads, and a lotus flower, representing purity and spiritual awakening. According to Buddhist cosmology, Avalokiteśvara is said to have vowed to liberate all sentient beings before attaining his own Buddhahood. He listens to the cries of the world and extends his compassionate hand to those in need. It is believed that reciting his mantra, "Om Mani Padme Hum," can invoke his blessings and protection.

Craftsmanship and Devotion

The creation of this statue involved a meticulous process, blending traditional techniques with profound spiritual intent. The copper base provides a strong and durable foundation, allowing for fine detailing and intricate ornamentation. Skilled artisans carefully shaped the metal to capture the essence of Avalokiteśvara, ensuring that every aspect of the deity's iconography is accurately represented. The gilding process, using genuine 24-karat gold, imbues the statue with a luminous quality, highlighting the sacredness of the subject matter. The addition of carefully selected gemstones further enhances the statue's beauty and reinforces its symbolic significance. This is more than just a decorative object; it is a representation of a beloved Bodhisattva. Its presence in your home or meditation space can serve as a constant reminder of the importance of compassion, wisdom, and the potential for awakening.

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.