Manjushri Yab-Yum

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Name: Manjushri Yab-Yum
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZI24
Price: 470.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$541

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Specifications

	ZI24
	Copper Sculpture
	Height: 12.3 inch
	Width: 9.7 inch
	Depth: 6.5 inch
	Weight 4.10 kg

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

A Glimpse into Wisdom and Union

Delve into the profound symbolism of Tibetan Buddhist iconography with this exquisite copper sculpture. More than just a work of art, this piece represents the union of wisdom and compassion, a central tenet in Vajrayana Buddhism. The statue showcases a complex and powerful depiction of enlightenment that is rich in cultural significance. This meticulously crafted copper sculpture depicts a deity in Yab-Yum, the symbolic union of male and female principles. This imagery signifies the indivisibility of emptiness and compassion, wisdom and skillful means. This union transcends ordinary duality and leads towards ultimate enlightenment. Every curve, every gesture, is imbued with meaning and designed to inspire contemplation. The sculpture features the deity seated in a meditative posture atop a lotus throne, a symbol of purity and spiritual awakening. The intricate details of the throne, from the individual petals to the subtle carvings, demonstrate the artistry and skill involved in the sculpture's creation. The deity embodies a state of serene joy and unwavering compassion.

Manjushri: The Bodhisattva of Wisdom

This artwork is primarily associated with Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. In Buddhist lore, Manjushri is revered as the embodiment of insight and intelligence. He is often depicted wielding a flaming sword, the "sword of discernment," with which he cuts through the darkness of ignorance and delusion. Some tales suggest the sword can burn away karma, while others say it represents the power of analytic reasoning. He is the source of wisdom which is the most significant tool for spiritual success. Manjushri holds a special place in Tibetan Buddhism, where he is considered the patron Bodhisattva of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. Legend says that Manjushri drained the valley's lake to create a fertile land suitable for human habitation. A stupa, called Swayambhunath, now marks the spot where the lotus on the lake grew and where Manjushri established a vibrant center of Buddhist learning. This image can also be thought of as Saraswati the goddess of wisdom.

Crafting and Composition

This meticulously crafted copper sculpture measures 12.3 x 9.7 x 6.5 inches, making it a substantial and impactful addition to any collection or meditative space. The choice of copper is no accident. Copper has long been valued in many cultures for its beauty, durability, and supposed energetic properties. The copper sculpture is sturdy, heavy and has a dark brown patina. Display this stunning artwork in your home or meditation room as a reminder of the boundless potential of wisdom and the power of compassion. It serves as a tangible symbol of the path to enlightenment and a beautiful representation of the rich cultural heritage of Tibetan Buddhism.

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.