Tibetan Buddhist Deity Chenrezig (Four Armed Avalokiteshvara) - Made in Nepal

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Name: Tibetan Buddhist Deity Chenrezig (Four Armed Avalokiteshvara) - Made in Nepal
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZCR66
Price: 1100.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1265

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Specifications

	ZCR66
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 11.5 inch
	Width: 6.5 inch
	Depth: 4.4 inch
	Weight 2.20 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.

The Embodiment of Infinite Compassion

This exquisite statue depicts Chenrezig, also known as Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, in his four-armed form. In Tibetan Buddhism, Chenrezig is revered as the patron deity and is considered the earthly manifestation of the Buddha's compassion. The name "Avalokiteshvara" itself translates to "Lord who looks down," signifying his constant vigilance and readiness to alleviate the suffering of all sentient beings. This particular representation, with its four arms, speaks to the vastness of his compassionate activity and his ability to engage with the world in numerous ways. ––––––––––

A Masterpiece of Nepalese Craftsmanship

Hailing from Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual tradition and renowned for its master artisans, this statue is a testament to centuries of skill and devotion. Crafted from high-quality copper, it is then meticulously gilded with pure 24-karat gold. The radiant sheen of the gold imbues the deity with a divine aura, reflecting the brilliance of enlightenment and the purity of his intentions. Each detail, from the serene expression on his face to the intricate ornamentation of his crown and the stylized petals of the lotus base, has been rendered with profound care and reverence. The blue accents on his shoulders add a touch of vibrant contrast, drawing the eye to the central figure. ––––––––––

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

The four arms of Chenrezig are particularly symbolic. The two hands pressed together at the heart in the prayerful gesture (anjali mudra) represent the union of wisdom and compassion, and the invocation of all Buddhas. The upper right hand is often depicted holding a crystal rosary, symbolizing the continuous cycle of rebirth and the practice of reciting mantras. The upper left hand holds a lotus flower, representing purity and the unfolding of spiritual awareness. In some traditions, the lower left hand may hold a precious jewel, signifying the wealth of spiritual attainment, or a vase containing the nectar of immortality. This statue, with its graceful posture and benevolent gaze, serves as a powerful reminder of the Bodhisattva's vow to postpone his own final nirvana until all beings are free from suffering. It is an invitation to cultivate the qualities of compassion, wisdom, and altruism within oneself, aligning with the path to enlightenment that Chenrezig so embodies.

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.