Eleven Headed Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig) - Tibetan Buddhist Deity (Made in Nepal)

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Name: Eleven Headed Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig) - Tibetan Buddhist Deity (Made in Nepal)
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZDF26
Price: 2200.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$2750

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Specifications

	ZDF26
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 19.7 inch
	Width: 14 inch
	Depth: 5 inch
	Weight 4.60 kg

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Embodiment of Boundless Compassion

This magnificent statue represents Avalokiteshvara, known as Chenrezig in Tibetan Buddhism, in his profound and awe-inspiring thousand-armed, eleven-headed form. Avalokiteshvara is the Bodhisattva of Compassion, a being of immense wisdom and kindness who has vowed to remain in the cycle of rebirth until all sentient beings are free from suffering. His name itself translates to "Lord Who Looks Down," embodying his ceaseless gaze of empathy upon the world.

A Vision of Universal Awareness

The eleven heads symbolize the different stages of enlightenment and the mastery of various perfections, while the thousand arms represent his boundless ability to extend help and comfort to all beings in need. Each hand is often depicted holding a different implement or gesture, signifying the myriad skillful means he employs to guide individuals towards liberation. This particular representation, crafted with exquisite detail in Nepal, showcases the spiritual artistry and devotional fervor of the region. The intricate work on the halo, adorned with vibrant colors and ornate patterns, further enhances the divine presence of the deity.

Divine Craftsmanship and Auspicious Materials

The statue is meticulously sculpted from copper and then lavishly gilded with 24-karat gold. Gold, in Buddhist iconography, signifies purity, illumination, and spiritual perfection. The radiant sheen of the gold not only elevates the aesthetic appeal of the statue but also imbues it with a sacred aura, making it a powerful object for contemplation and devotion. The presence of this deity in a home or meditation space is believed to invoke blessings of peace, healing, and protection. The art of creating such statues in Nepal has been passed down through generations, preserving ancient techniques and embodying deep spiritual understanding.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

In Buddhist lore, it is said that Avalokiteshvara, upon realizing the vastness of suffering in the world, felt a surge of despair. His head shattered into eleven pieces, which were then reformed by Amitabha Buddha into the eleven heads we see, each representing a different emotion he mastered to continue his compassionate work. The thousand arms emerged from his back, each able to offer refuge and solace. This deity serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for compassion that resides within all beings and the importance of extending kindness and understanding to others. This statue is not merely an object of art but a potent spiritual artifact, inviting contemplation on the nature of compassion and the path to 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.