Manjushri - Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom

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Name: Manjushri - Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: RE40
Price: 330.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$380

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Specifications

	RE40
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold and Wooden Pedestal
	Height: 8.2 inch
	Width: 8 inch
	Depth: 4.5 inch
	Weight 1.35 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Embodiment of Wisdom

This meticulously crafted copper sculpture represents a revered figure in Buddhist tradition, the Bodhisattva Manjushri. Gilded with radiant 24 karat gold, this piece captures the essence of wisdom and enlightenment. The rich, luminous gold finish enhances the intricate details of the sculpture, highlighting the serene expression and graceful posture. Placed upon a thoughtfully designed wooden pedestal, this piece becomes a focal point, a beacon of spiritual insight within your personal space.

The Iconography of Manjushri

Manjushri is venerated across various Buddhist traditions as the bodhisattva who embodies transcendent wisdom (prajna). He is often depicted with a flaming sword (khadga), symbolizing the cutting through of ignorance and delusion. While this sculpture does not explicitly feature the sword, his presence alone is believed to bestow wisdom, intelligence, and eloquence upon those who contemplate him. The gesture of his hands often depicts the Dharmachakra mudra, or "Turning the Wheel of Dharma", which is a symbolic expression of imparting and spreading Buddhist teachings. Meditating upon Manjushri is said to sharpen the mind, improve memory, and enhance understanding of the Dharma. His association with wisdom extends to academic pursuits, making him a beloved figure for students and scholars.

Craftsmanship and Cultural Significance

The use of copper, a metal prized for its durability and conductive properties, lends a timeless quality to this sculpture. The application of 24 karat gold adds a layer of opulence and reverence, reflecting the high regard in which Manjushri is held. The creation of such a piece requires skilled artisans employing traditional techniques passed down through generations. Displaying this sculpture is not merely an aesthetic choice; it is an acknowledgement of the rich cultural heritage and spiritual depth of the Buddhist tradition. Invite the blessings of clarity, understanding, and profound insight into your life with this captivating representation of Manjushri.

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.