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Tibetan Buddhist Deity Manjushri Statue - Made in Nepal

$112.50
$150
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The glorious wielder of the sword, which symbolizes his potent powers that cut the blinding darkness of worldly ignorance, Bodhisattva Manjushri enlivens this statue from Nepal in his distinctive divine form. Placed on a lotus seat, adorned with delicate attire and ornaments, Manjushri holds a sword, and the Chintamani (wish-fulfilling gem) and instills a sublime calm in the heart of the devotee.

Specifications
ZED93
Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
Height: 3.5 inch
Width: 2.8 inch
Depth: 1.5 inch
Weight 200 gm
Delivery and Return Policies
Usually ships in 15 days
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Embodiment of Wisdom and Enlightenment

This exquisite statue depicts Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, a revered figure in Mahayana Buddhism. He is an embodiment of transcendental knowledge, reason, and insight, often invoked to overcome ignorance and delusion. The name Manjushri itself translates to "Gentle Glory," reflecting his serene yet powerful presence. In Buddhist lore, Manjushri is said to have been the first being to attain enlightenment and is considered the spiritual son of the cosmic Buddha Vairocana. He is often depicted as a youthful prince, symbolizing the fresh and boundless nature of wisdom, and is believed to guide practitioners towards realizing their true nature.

A Masterpiece of Nepalese Craftsmanship

Meticulously crafted in Nepal, a land steeped in Buddhist tradition and artistic heritage, this statue is a testament to generations of skilled artisans. The intricate details and the lustrous finish speak to the deep reverence and devotion that went into its creation. Made from copper and gilded with pure 24-karat gold, the statue possesses a radiant glow that further enhances its spiritual aura. The golden hue symbolizes purity, enlightenment, and the divine essence of Manjushri. The tradition of creating such statues in Nepal has been passed down through families, preserving ancient techniques and spiritual symbolism.

Symbolism and Iconography

Manjushri is characteristically depicted holding a flaming sword in his right hand, representing the cutting edge of wisdom that severs the roots of ignorance and misunderstanding. In his left hand, he often holds a lotus flower, symbolizing purity and the blossoming of enlightenment. The tranquil expression on his face and his meditative posture signify his mastery over the mind and his profound serenity. The ornate crown and jewelry adorning him denote his royal status as a prince and his cosmic significance. The base, adorned with intricate patterns, symbolizes the lotus throne, a sacred seat of divinity from which wisdom emanates. This particular representation captures the essence of Manjushri as the remover of darkness and the bestower of profound understanding, encouraging practitioners to engage in critical thinking and the pursuit of truth.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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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