Maitreya Buddha - The Future Savior of Civilization

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Name: Maitreya Buddha - The Future Savior of Civilization
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: RH75
Price: 360.00 USD
Availability: InStock

£322

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Specifications

	RH75
	Copper Sculpture
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 4 inch
	Depth: 3.5 inch
	Weight 1.35 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Bodhisattva of the Future

Seated in regal splendor, this copper sculpture captures the serene essence of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future. His presence exudes compassion and hope, a reminder of the potential for enlightenment that resides within each of us. Maitreya isn't just a figure from Buddhist cosmology; he embodies a promise of a golden age, a time of peace and prosperity brought about by the power of Dharma. In Buddhist tradition, Maitreya is a bodhisattva, a being who has postponed their own final nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment. He currently resides in Tushita Heaven, awaiting the opportune moment to descend to Earth and usher in a new era of spiritual understanding. Many legends surround his eventual arrival, describing a world ripe with opportunity for spiritual growth, where the teachings of the Buddha are easily accessible, and suffering is greatly diminished.

Symbolism Embodied in Copper

The rich, warm tones of the copper further enhance the sculpture's symbolism. Copper, a metal revered in many cultures, often represents love, balance, and feminine energy. In this depiction of Maitreya, the metal adds to the sense of approaching abundance and compassion that he embodies. Notice his posture, relaxed yet alert, as he sits upon his throne. The hand gesture, or mudra, he displays speaks volumes about his purpose. Often seen with the hand raised in a gesture of reassurance or teaching, this particular mudra invites you to approach without fear. The intricate detailing of his garments, the elaborately carved throne, and the serene expression on his face, all contribute to a captivating depiction of this revered figure. The backdrop behind Maitreya is decorated with an intricate design. Every curve and swirl is made of detailed carvings. This level of detail contributes to the overall opulence of the copper statue.

A Timeless Piece for Contemplation

Whether you are a practicing Buddhist, a collector of fine art, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of spiritual iconography, this sculpture serves as a potent reminder of the power of hope and the potential for positive transformation. Place it in a meditation space, a living room, or any area where you seek inspiration and a reminder of the enlightened path. This striking piece invites quiet contemplation and embodies the qualities of the Bodhisattva of the Future.

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.