Finished with equal precision on every surface, this 12.5″ oxidized Shakyamuni statue reveals dense scrolling foliage engraved across the front and back of the robe alike — a level of finishing in the round more commonly reserved for gilded masterpiece pieces. His right hand is draped over the right knee in the Bhumisparsha mudra, palm facing inwards with the fingers lightly touching the pedestal, while his left hand rests flat in his lap in the Dhyana (meditation) mudra, palm facing upwards and cradling the alms bowl.
As Shakyamuni Buddha was in deep meditation under the Bodhi tree he was approached by the demon Mara. Mara realized that Gautama Siddhartha was on the verge of enlightenment. Therefore, Mara unleashed a spectacle of evil illusions in an attempt to dissuade the Buddha from achieving his goal. However, Mara would fail in his task. As a result of his triumph over Mara, Shakyamuni Buddha depicted the Bhumisparsha mudra, calling the earth goddess to witness the vanquishment of ignorance and the triumph of wisdom.
Furthermore, our oxidized Shakyamuni statue features the traditional ushnisha topknot, right-turning hair coils, three neck lines, and stretched ear lobes — all classical marks of an enlightened being. He sits on a single lotus pedestal ringed with beaded rims and carved with a bold band of petals over an engraved base. Explore the symbolism of the Bhumisparsha mudra and other Shakyamuni Buddha hand gestures in our complete guide to Shakyamuni statues, or read more about these traditional marks in our guide to Buddha physical characteristics.
Oxidized Shakyamuni Statue — Production Technique
This piece was hand carved in Patan, Nepal using the traditional lost wax casting method. As a result, the statue is imbued with fine details carved into the robe, pedestal, and facial features. The antiquated finish is developed from the oxidized copper alloy, giving the sculpture its rich, deep bronze color with the iridescent highlights that develop across the raised surfaces. The deep bronze luster provides an additional layer of serenity to your home or meditation room.
Shakya Artisans and the Lost Wax Method
This statue was cast by master craftsmen of the Shakya caste of Newar artisans in Patan, Nepal — the same lineage that has supplied Tibetan monasteries with their most important sculpture for over a thousand years. Every piece begins as a hand-sculpted beeswax model, encased in clay, then fired so the wax melts away and molten copper alloy is poured into the resulting mould. The clay is broken, the metal figure is cold-worked by hand — chased, engraved, and refined — before the copper surface is treated to develop its rich oxidized patina. Because each wax model is destroyed in the casting, no two statues from the workshop are ever identical.
Custom Orders
If you would prefer this Shakyamuni in a different size, or in a fully gilded, partly gilded, or silver plated finish rather than the oxidized patina, we can commission it directly with the artisan on your behalf. Explore our custom Tibetan Buddhist statues page for the full commissioning process and to see recent custom pieces we have delivered.
Authentic, Handmade in Nepal
Every statue and ritual item is handcrafted in Patan, Nepal, using traditional lost wax casting and comes with a certificate of authenticity issued by Nepal's Department of Archaeology, verifying its materials, technique, and origin.
