Manjushri - Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom

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Name: Manjushri - Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: EC79
Price: 220.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$253

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Specifications

	EC79
	Copper Sculpture
	Height: 8.5 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 3.5 inch
	Weight 1.62 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

This exquisite piece falls under the category of Copper Statues.

The Embodiment of Wisdom

This captivating sculpture portrays a revered figure in Buddhist tradition, an embodiment of wisdom and intellect. Skillfully crafted from copper, this statue captures the serene yet powerful essence of the Bodhisattva, radiating an aura of profound understanding and compassion. The attention to detail in the crafting of this piece brings it to life, from the intricate crown to the delicate hand gestures. It serves not only as a beautiful work of art but also as a potent symbol of enlightenment and the pursuit of knowledge.

Iconography and Symbolism

The Bodhisattva is often depicted wielding a flaming sword, known as the khadga, which represents the cutting through of ignorance and delusion. This sword is not an instrument of violence, but rather a tool to liberate beings from the fetters of misunderstanding and attachment. In the other hand, the Bodhisattva frequently holds a lotus flower, upon which rests the Prajnaparamita Sutra, the perfection of wisdom text. This symbolizes the blossoming of wisdom from the mud of worldly existence. The entire posture, the gentle smile, and the adornments all contribute to the powerful visual representation of enlightened awareness.

A Guardian of Knowledge

In Tibetan Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is considered a key figure in the lineage of enlightened beings. Monasteries and learning institutions often feature elaborate shrines dedicated to this figure, where prayers are offered for wisdom and the successful completion of studies. This Bodhisattva's presence is believed to inspire and guide practitioners on their path to enlightenment, aiding them in overcoming obstacles and developing profound insight. The statue serves as a reminder of the potential for wisdom that resides within each of us, waiting to be awakened.

Craftsmanship and Dimensions

This captivating copper sculpture measures 8.5 x 6.0 x 3.5 inches, making it a perfect piece for home altars, meditation spaces, or as a decorative focal point in any room. Its modest size allows for easy placement while its stunning detail ensures it will be a conversation piece. The copper construction ensures longevity and durability, allowing it to be a treasured possession for generations to come.

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.