Guru Padmasambhava

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Name: Guru Padmasambhava
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: EC13
Price: 240.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$276

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Specifications

	EC13
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 0 inch
	Width: 0 inch
	Depth: 0 inch
	Weight 1.60 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

This magnificent artwork, a testament to exquisite craftsmanship, depicts a revered figure deeply embedded in the rich tapestry of Tibetan Buddhism. A symbol of transformative power and spiritual mastery, this statue invites contemplation and reverence.

The Lotus-Born

The figure represented is none other than the Lotus-Born, a name resonating with the extraordinary circumstances of his birth. Legend tells that he wasn't born from a womb but spontaneously manifested from a lotus blossom floating in Lake Dhanakosha, in the kingdom of Oddiyana (present-day Swat Valley, Pakistan). This miraculous origin sets him apart, immediately establishing him as an emanation of enlightenment itself. His emergence from the lotus, a symbol of purity and spiritual unfolding, is not merely a detail of his biography, but a metaphor for the potential for awakening that resides within each of us, waiting to bloom. He embodies the triumph of spirit over circumstance, of wisdom over ignorance. He is the embodiment of pristine awareness, untouched by the defilements of the world.

A Legacy in Tibet

While his birth is shrouded in the miraculous, his impact on Tibetan Buddhism is undeniably historical. Invited to Tibet in the 8th century by King Trisong Detsen, he played a pivotal role in establishing Buddhism within the kingdom. He quelled malevolent spirits and negative forces that hindered the construction of Samye Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet. Through his tantric abilities, he subdued these obstacles, paving the way for the flourishing of Buddhist teachings. He is not just a remover of external obstacles, but also a guide in navigating the internal challenges faced on the path to enlightenment. He transmitted profound tantric teachings, including the Dzogchen tradition, which emphasize direct realization of one's true nature. His teachings empowered individuals to transcend limitations and access the inherent wisdom within. Even today, many Tibetans invoke him for protection and guidance.

Artisan Craftsmanship

This breathtaking piece is a copper sculpture painstakingly gilded with 24 Karat Gold. The radiant gold finish highlights the intricate details, from the serene expression on his face to the elaborate folds of his robes. He is seated in the vajra posture on a lotus throne. The skull cup in his hand and khatvanga staff resting on his shoulder are some of the ritual objects associated with him. This sculpture is a tangible representation of devotion, created by skilled artisans. This statue serves not only as a representation of a great spiritual figure, but also a celebration of the artistic traditions that have flourished for centuries. A piece of such craftsmanship serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of art and spirituality.

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.