Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara

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Name: Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: EN31
Price: 640.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$736

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Specifications

	EN31
	Copper Sculpture Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 15 inch
	Width: 12 inch
	Depth: 3.3 inch
	Weight 3.35 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Crafted with meticulous detail, this gilded representation of a powerful bodhisattva brings the essence of compassion and boundless assistance into your sacred space. Perfect for those seeking to deepen their spiritual practice or simply appreciate the artistry of sacred Buddhist iconography.

Avalokiteshvara: The Embodiment of Compassion

This is a representation of Avalokiteshvara, a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. The name itself translates to "Lord who looks down (in compassion)." The bodhisattva ideal is central to Mahayana Buddhism, which dictates that enlightenment isn't merely for personal salvation, but to liberate all sentient beings. Avalokiteshvara is considered the patron deity of Tibet. Numerous stories and legends surround the Bodhisattva's origins and manifestations. The iconic thousand arms are not literal but symbolic, representing the bodhisattva's readiness to assist all who call upon him. Each hand often holds a different implement, signifying the tools available to alleviate suffering. The eyes in the palms further emphasize the all-seeing, all-knowing nature of his compassion.

A Masterpiece in Gilded Copper

Cast in copper, this sculpture is gilded with radiant 24 karat gold, imbuing the piece with a spiritual aura and a sense of profound preciousness. The shimmering gold reflects light beautifully, enhancing the intricate detailing of the numerous arms, serene faces, and decorative elements. Each component of the sculpture has been rendered with remarkable precision. The layered heads symbolize his attentiveness to the cries of suffering beings throughout all realms of existence. The elaborate base provides a stable and decorative foundation for this divine figure.

Ideal Placement

Given its dimensions of 15.0 x 12.0 x 3.3 inches, this sculpture will be a captivating presence in any space. Consider placing it on an altar, a meditation table, or a prominent shelf. Let it be a reminder of the profound capacity for compassion within yourself and the world around you.

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.