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Thinking Buddha

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Name: Thinking Buddha
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: XC73
Price: 395.00 USD
Availability: InStock

AU$634

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	XC73
	Copper Sculpture
	Height: 5 inch
	Width: 4 inch
	Depth: 3.5 inch
	Weight 1.04 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

A Moment of Reflection

This exquisite sculpture captures the essence of contemplative stillness, a moment of introspection embodied in the form of the Buddha. Unlike depictions showing him in teaching mudras or serene meditation, this piece portrays a rare and intimate glimpse into a time of pause, perhaps even questioning, before the ultimate enlightenment. The Buddha is seated, his head resting gently on his arms, conveying a sense of profound thought and introspection. The subtle details, from the gentle curve of his lips to the serene expression on his face, speak volumes about the internal journey toward wisdom.

Material and Craftsmanship

Cast in copper, this statue carries the weight of tradition and the enduring quality of the material. Copper, a metal revered for its conductivity and malleability, lends itself beautifully to intricate sculpting. The statue’s warm, earthy tones and the subtle variations in the patina create a sense of depth and age. The artistry is evident in the meticulously rendered details of the Buddha’s robes and the textured curls of his hair. The sculptor's skillful hand has breathed life into this copper form, capturing not just the physical likeness but also the profound inner peace associated with the Buddha.

The Historical Buddha and the Path to Enlightenment

Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, was a prince born in Lumbini (modern-day Nepal) around the 6th century BCE. Dissatisfied with the suffering he witnessed, he renounced his privileged life to seek enlightenment. He spent years as an ascetic, pushing his physical and mental limits, but realized that this extreme path was not the answer. He famously sat beneath the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, vowing not to rise until he had achieved enlightenment. After intense meditation and overcoming various temptations, he attained enlightenment and became the Buddha, the "Awakened One." This sculpture invites us to imagine him not only in his moments of triumphant enlightenment but also in the quiet periods of contemplation that preceded them. It reminds us that even the Buddha, on his path to wisdom, experienced moments of deep reflection and introspection.

Placement and Intention

This sculpture is perfect for creating a serene atmosphere in your home, office, or meditation space. Its modest size makes it versatile for placement on a shelf, desk, or altar. The image invites contemplation, and its presence may serve as a reminder to take a moment for self-reflection and inner peace. Whether you are a practicing Buddhist, an admirer of Eastern philosophy, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of art, this sculpture will enhance your surroundings and deepen your connection to the path of mindfulness. The image of the Buddha in a moment of quiet introspection reminds us of the importance of self-reflection and the value of finding stillness amidst the chaos of daily life.

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.

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