Eleven Headed Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara

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Name: Eleven Headed Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZCD30
Price: 295.00 USD
Availability: InStock

£317

Inclusive of All Taxes

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Specifications

	ZCD30
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 5.7 inch
	Width: 3.5 inch
	Depth: 1.5 inch
	Weight 310 gm

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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Embodiment of Infinite Compassion

This exquisite statue captures the powerful and benevolent form of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, in his multifaceted Eleven-Headed Thousand-Armed manifestation. This iconography is a profound representation of the boundless love and wisdom that Avalokiteshvara extends to all sentient beings across the universe. Each of his eleven heads symbolizes different stages of enlightenment and states of consciousness, while his thousand arms signify his ability to reach out and offer solace, protection, and guidance to those in need, no matter where they are or what their suffering may be. This divine being is central to Mahayana Buddhism, often invoked as "Namo Amitabha" – a salutation to the Buddha of Infinite Light, to whom Avalokiteshvara is intimately linked. Legends tell of Avalokiteshvara vowing to postpone his own enlightenment until all beings are liberated from suffering, a testament to his unwavering dedication. The multiplicity of his forms reflects the myriad ways he manifests to aid humanity, from appearing as a monk to a physician, or even a craftsman, depending on the needs of the devotee. His compassionate gaze, seen from every visage, conveys a sense of ultimate understanding and unwavering support. ––––––––––

Sacred Craftsmanship and Divine Radiance

Meticulously crafted in Nepalese tradition, this statue is cast from pure copper and then lavished with a generous gilding of 24 Karat gold. The rich, lustrous gold not only enhances the aesthetic beauty of the piece, imbuing it with a sacred aura, but also symbolizes the radiant purity and enlightened nature of Avalokiteshvara himself. The intricate detailing, from the delicate folds of his robes to the serene expressions on each face and the finely rendered hands holding various auspicious implements, speaks volumes of the artisan's skill and devotion. The tiered base upon which Avalokiteshvara stands is itself a work of art, often adorned with symbolic motifs that further enrich its spiritual significance. The radiant halo behind the deity, reminiscent of a divine aura, further accentuates his celestial presence. This statue is more than just an object of beauty; it is a tangible manifestation of spiritual aspiration, a focal point for meditation, and a powerful reminder of the ever-present force of compassion in the world. It serves as a conduit for devotees to connect with Avalokiteshvara’s boundless energy and seek his blessings for peace, well-being, and spiritual growth.

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.