Tibetan Buddhist Chorten (Stupa) from Nepal

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$722.25

$963

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Specifications

	ZDE70
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 9.4 inch
	Width: 4.6 inch
	Depth: 4.8 inch
	Weight 1.70 kg

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A Beacon of Enlightenment: The Tibetan Chorten

This exquisite Tibetan Buddhist Chorten, or Stupa, is more than just a decorative object; it is a profound symbol of spiritual enlightenment and a focal point for meditation and prayer. Handcrafted in Nepal, a land steeped in Buddhist tradition, this piece embodies centuries of artistic heritage and deep devotional practice. The Chorten's form itself is rich with meaning, representing the path to enlightenment, from the base symbolizing earthly existence to the pinnacle representing nirvana.

Sacred Symbolism and Divine Presence

The Chorten, in Tibetan Buddhism, is a sacred monument believed to contain relics of the Buddha or other enlightened beings. It serves as a reminder of the Buddha's teachings and his presence in the world. Each architectural element carries symbolic significance. The square base represents the earth element, grounding us in the present reality. The dome-like structure symbolizes the Buddha's wisdom and compassion, while the spire reaching towards the sky represents the path to liberation. The intricate ornamentation adorning this Chorten further enhances its spiritual aura, inviting contemplation and reverence. The presence of a central medallion, often depicting a Buddha or deity, is a common feature that invites focused meditation.

Craftsmanship and Auspicious Materials

This particular Chorten is a testament to the meticulous artistry of Nepalese craftsmen. Forged from high-quality copper, a metal revered for its purity and conductivity in spiritual practices, it is then lavishly gilded with 24-karat gold. This act of gilding is not merely for aesthetic appeal but is a sacred practice that imbues the object with divine radiance and auspicious energy. Gold, in many cultures, symbolizes purity, enlightenment, and royalty. The lustrous sheen of the gold catches the light, making this Chorten a truly captivating centerpiece, radiating warmth and serenity in any space it occupies. Its detailed carvings and the smooth, polished finish speak of generations of accumulated skill and dedication.

A Gateway to Inner Peace

The presence of a Chorten in one's home or meditation space is believed to invite blessings, ward off negative energies, and foster a sense of tranquility. Circumambulating a Chorten is a common devotional practice, believed to purify negative karma and accumulate merit. While this is a miniature representation, its spiritual essence remains potent. It serves as a constant visual reminder of the impermanence of life and the potential for spiritual awakening. Whether you are a devout practitioner of Buddhism or simply someone who appreciates the beauty and profound symbolism of sacred art, this golden Chorten offers a unique opportunity to bring a piece of this ancient spiritual tradition into your life, fostering a sense of peace and spiritual connection. Its substantial size and commanding presence make it a focal point for contemplation and an object of admiration.

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.