Manjushri - Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom

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Name: Manjushri - Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: EX36
Price: 295.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$339

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Specifications

	EX36
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 7.6 inch
	Width: 5.5 inch
	Depth: 3.2 inch
	Weight 1.21 kg

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Embodiment of Wisdom: Introducing the Bodhisattva

Within the realm of enlightened beings, certain figures shine with particular brilliance, guiding humanity towards liberation and understanding. The Bodhisattva embodies this ideal – a being who has postponed their own final enlightenment to assist others on their path. This copper sculpture, gilded with radiant 24 Karat gold, is an iconic representation of this benevolent figure, standing at 7.6 x 5.5 x 3.2 inches. It's a stunning piece of devotional art and a potent reminder of the boundless capacity for wisdom and compassion within each of us.

Symbolism and Iconography

The Bodhisattva's iconography is deeply symbolic, each element rich with meaning. In one hand, it holds aloft the flaming sword, known as the khadga. This is no ordinary weapon; it represents the power of discriminating wisdom to cut through ignorance, illusion, and the entanglements of attachment that bind us to suffering. It’s a symbol of decisive action, the piercing insight that can dismantle false perceptions and reveal the true nature of reality. In the other hand, the Bodhisattva gestures with the karana mudra and holds the stem of a lotus flower blossoming into a stack of religious texts. The lotus, arising from muddy waters, symbolizes purity and enlightenment emerging from the mire of samsara. The stack of texts represents the accumulated wisdom of the scriptures, the teachings that illuminate the path to awakening. This iconic posture represents his dedication to guiding sentient beings toward liberation from suffering.

Artisanship and Materials

This exquisite statue is a testament to the skill and dedication of traditional artisans. Crafted from copper, known for its durability and resonance, the statue is then meticulously gilded with 24 Karat gold. This layer of pure gold not only enhances the visual splendor of the piece but also carries symbolic weight. Gold is associated with purity, illumination, and the inherent Buddha-nature present within all beings. The application of gilding is a delicate process, requiring expertise to ensure an even and lasting finish. The smooth, radiant surface of the statue reflects light beautifully, creating a captivating focal point for contemplation and devotion.

Invite Wisdom Into Your Space

More than just a beautiful object, this Bodhisattva statue is a tangible connection to a lineage of wisdom and compassion. Display it in your home, meditation space, or office as a reminder of the potential for insight and enlightenment that resides within. It can serve as a powerful focal point for your practice, inspiring you to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and unwavering determination on your own journey towards awakening. Allow the serene presence of this magnificent sculpture to transform your surroundings and deepen your connection to the profound teachings it embodies.

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.