Partly Gilded Shakyamuni Statue 10.5″ | 24K Gold | Authentic Nepal

The unusual contrast between dark oxidized copper and luminous gold gives this 10.5″ Partly Gilded Shakyamuni Statue a distinctly regal character. Rather than presenting the historical Buddha solely in the unadorned robes of a monk, the artisan has depicted him wearing an elaborate Bodhisattva crown, jewelry, decorative armlets, and a gold-finished mantle. The face, arms, torso, and central portions of the pedestal retain their warm antiquated copper finish, while the crown, shoulders, robe panels, crossed legs, and selected lotus details are highlighted with 24K gold. This carefully balanced finish allows the ornamentation to shine without concealing the depth and character of the oxidized copper beneath it.

The statue was handcrafted in Patan, Nepal by a master Newar artisan using the traditional lost wax sculpting method. Raised scrollwork follows the borders of the mantle and arm ornaments, while the crown is built from individually modeled flame-shaped finials surrounding a prominent central crest. The symmetrical curling forms across the chest and back create an uncommon ceremonial garment that distinguishes this image from standard monastic representations of Shakyamuni. At the buyer’s request, the crown and jewelry can be embellished with turquoise or red coral stones at no additional charge before shipping. Learn more about the traditional 24K fire gilding process used on authentic Himalayan Buddhist sculpture.

Partly Gilded Shakyamuni Statue Features

Shakyamuni sits in full lotus posture upon a single lotus pedestal and displays the Bhumisparsha mudra, or earth-touching gesture. His right arm extends naturally over the knee, with the palm turned inward and the fingers reaching toward the ground. This is the defining gesture of his enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, when he called the earth to witness the merit he had accumulated throughout countless previous lives. The gesture therefore represents both the historical moment of awakening and the immovable certainty of the realization he attained beneath the Bodhi tree. Explore the meaning of Shakyamuni Buddha’s Bhumisparsha mudra in our complete guide.

His left hand rests in the lap in the Dhyana mudra, supporting the lidded alms bowl of a Buddhist monk. The bowl recalls Siddhartha Gautama’s renunciation of royal privilege and his dependence upon freely offered food after entering the spiritual life. In Buddhist iconography it may also be understood as a vessel of spiritual nourishment, suggesting that the Dharma provides a remedy for the greed, hatred, and delusion that perpetuate suffering. The combination of the alms bowl with the richly ornamented crown creates an intentional contrast: Shakyamuni is shown simultaneously as the renunciant teacher of history and as the fully awakened culmination of the Bodhisattva path.

The Bodhisattva Path of Shakyamuni Buddha

The Bodhisattva ornaments worn by this Partly Gilded Shakyamuni Statue recall the innumerable lives during which the future Buddha cultivated generosity, patience, ethical conduct, determination, meditation, and transcendent wisdom. Buddhist narratives describe these earlier lives as the long preparation that made his final enlightenment possible. In one celebrated account, the ascetic Sumedha encountered Dipankara Buddha and formed the aspiration to attain complete Buddhahood for the benefit of others rather than immediately entering personal liberation. The crown on this statue can therefore be understood as a visual bridge between the future Buddha’s long Bodhisattva career and his final life as Prince Siddhartha Gautama. Read more about the life and meaning of Shakyamuni Buddha, or consult our Shakyamuni Buddha FAQ for answers about his iconography and historical identity.

Matching Three Buddha Statue Set

This crowned Shakyamuni was created by the same master artisan as two closely coordinated companion statues: the partly gilded crowned Amitabha Buddha statue and the partly gilded Medicine Buddha statue. All three share nearly identical proportions, antiquated copper surfaces, selective 24K gold detailing, Bodhisattva crowns, ornamental jewelry, and matching single lotus pedestals. Displayed together, they form a visually unified three-statue altar set representing the historical teacher Shakyamuni, the healing activity of Medicine Buddha, and the infinite light and Pure Land vows of Amitabha Buddha. Their closely matched scale and workshop style allow the group to read as a deliberately planned ensemble rather than three unrelated sculptures.

Custom Made Shakyamuni and Buddha Statue Sets

Our artisans can also create custom made Tibetan Buddhist statues based on this crowned Shakyamuni design. Buyers may commission an individual statue or a coordinated Buddha set in a preferred size, copper finish, gilding style, pedestal design, and level of ornamentation. Options may include oxidized copper, selective or extensive 24K fire gilding, engraved robes, turquoise and coral embellishment, hand-painted facial details, and matching throne proportions across every figure in the set. Because each sculpture begins as an individually modeled wax form, the final statue remains a genuine handmade work rather than a mechanically reproduced casting.