Shakyamuni Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra

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Name: Shakyamuni Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: XK37
Price: 1495.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1719

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Specifications

	XK37
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 18 inch
	Width: 13.5 inch
	Depth: 10 inch
	Weight 9.12 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.

Witness to Enlightenment

This exquisitely crafted statue captures a pivotal moment in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. Seated in the lotus position, a posture of deep meditation and stability, the figure emanates an aura of serene wisdom. The delicate rendering of the face, with its half-closed eyes and gentle smile, invites contemplation and introspection. The robes, draped gracefully over the shoulders, are adorned with intricate detailing, testament to the meticulous artistry employed in its creation. Each fold and crease is carefully rendered, suggesting both movement and stillness, reflecting the Buddha's journey toward enlightenment. This Nepalese statue is a stunning representation of devotion and enlightenment, a testament to the enduring legacy of the Buddha's teachings.

The Significance of Bhumisparsha Mudra

The hand gesture displayed, known as the Bhumisparsha Mudra, is of profound significance. It literally translates to "earth-touching gesture" or "witness mudra." This iconic mudra symbolizes the moment when Siddhartha Gautama, seated beneath the Bodhi tree, faced the ultimate challenge posed by Mara, the demon of illusion and temptation. Mara unleashed his armies of demons and attempted to disrupt Siddhartha's meditation, offering him earthly power and sensual pleasures. Undeterred, Siddhartha reached down with his right hand and touched the earth, calling upon the Earth Goddess, Sthavara, to bear witness to his countless lifetimes of virtuous deeds and unwavering resolve. The Earth Goddess responded with a powerful affirmation, vanquishing Mara and his forces and solidifying Siddhartha's right to attain enlightenment. This mudra, therefore, represents unwavering resolve, unshakable faith, and the ultimate triumph over temptation.

Craftsmanship and Devotion

This statue originates from Nepal, a land deeply intertwined with the history of Buddhism. Nepalese artisans are renowned for their skill in creating sacred art, passed down through generations. The copper base provides a sturdy foundation for the intricate details and is further enhanced by the application of 24-karat gold gilding. The gold, a symbol of purity, divinity, and spiritual wealth, enhances the statue's radiant appearance, reflecting light and adding to its captivating presence. The attention to detail is remarkable, from the curls of the hair, evocative of the marks of a great man, to the ornate lotus base that elevates the figure, symbolizing purity and spiritual awakening arising from the mud of the mundane world. This is not merely an object of beauty; it is a tangible expression of devotion and a potent symbol of the potential for enlightenment within us all.

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.