Antiquated Shakyamuni Statue | 13.5″ 24K Gold | Authentic Nepal

This distinctive 13.5″ Antiquated Shakyamuni statue presents the historical Buddha in an unusually regal form, combining the restrained beauty of an oxidized copper alloy body with the brilliance of a pure 24K gold fire-gilded crown, jewelry, robe borders, and pedestal details. Handcrafted in Patan, Nepal by a master Newar artisan of the Shakya tradition, the sculpture was created through the traditional lost wax casting process and finished entirely by hand. The warm antiquated surface gives the figure the character of a carefully preserved sacred image, while the gilded ornaments and turquoise settings introduce a luminous contrast that draws attention to Shakyamuni’s enlightened dignity.

Although the historical Buddha is most often shown wearing simple monastic robes, this Antiquated Shakyamuni statue depicts him crowned and adorned with the jewels of a Bodhisattva. The presentation recalls the inseparability of his historical life and the immeasurable merit accumulated through countless previous lifetimes before his final awakening. A tall five-pointed crown rises above his blue-black hair and ushnisha, while large earrings, layered necklaces, armlets, bracelets, and ornamental robe borders frame the body. Genuine turquoise stones set into the crown and jewelry provide a traditional Himalayan accent against the deep copper patina and glowing gold surface.

Antiquated Shakyamuni Statue Bhumisparsha Mudra

Shakyamuni sits in the full lotus posture while displaying the Bhumisparsha mudra, or earth-touching gesture. His right hand extends over the right knee with the palm turned inward and the fingers reaching toward the ground. This gesture recalls the decisive moment beneath the Bodhi tree when Mara challenged Siddhartha Gautama’s right to attain enlightenment. Shakyamuni touched the earth and called it to witness the virtue and merit accumulated through his innumerable previous lives. The earth responded, affirming his accomplishment and the defeat of the forces that sought to obstruct his awakening.

The earth-touching gesture is the principal identifying attribute of Shakyamuni in Himalayan Buddhist art. It represents unwavering resolve, spiritual victory, and the realization that awakening is established through practice rather than inherited status. The historical Buddha had renounced his princely life, endured years of austerity, and ultimately discovered the Middle Way before attaining complete enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Explore the meaning of the Bhumisparsha mudra and other features of Shakyamuni iconography in our complete guide.

Alms Bowl and Meditation Gesture

His left hand rests in the lap in the Dhyana mudra, the gesture of meditation, with an alms bowl supported in the open palm. The Dhyana mudra expresses concentration, inner balance, and the meditative stability through which wisdom is cultivated. Its quiet symmetry complements the active downward movement of the earth-touching hand, joining contemplative realization with the historical event of the Buddha’s awakening.

The alms bowl recalls Shakyamuni’s renunciation of royal privilege and his adoption of the life of a wandering mendicant. Rather than relying upon inherited wealth, he accepted simple offerings and devoted himself entirely to liberation. In Buddhist iconography, the bowl is also understood to contain the three nectars that counteract ignorance, attachment, and hatred—the three poisons from which suffering and harmful action arise. Together, the bowl and Bhumisparsha mudra connect the Buddha’s renunciation, meditation, victory over Mara, and final enlightenment within one balanced composition. Additional answers concerning his life and attributes can be found in our Shakyamuni Buddha statue guide.

Foliate Engraving and Antiquated Copper Finish

Much of the artistic character of this Antiquated Shakyamuni statue comes from the contrast between its aged copper surface and carefully selected gilded details. Fine foliate and scrolling patterns have been engraved throughout the dhoti, shoulder wrap, crown, jewelry, and garment borders. The hand-carved designs are subtle in the darker oxidized areas and more radiant where the raised edges and ornaments have been highlighted in gold. This restrained use of gilding preserves the contemplative quality of the figure while emphasizing its most important sculptural features.

The Buddha is seated upon a finely modeled double lotus throne composed of two registers of petals. Selected petals and ornamental borders are partly gilded, allowing the lotus base to echo the crown and jewelry without overwhelming the antiquated finish. The engraving continues across the rear of the robes and shoulder covering, demonstrating that the artisan intended the sculpture to be appreciated from several directions rather than only from the front.

The reverse of the pedestal includes raised, gilded decorative motifs, including paired deer and a central emblem worked against the darker oxidized copper. These repoussé-style details create depth around the back of the throne and provide an unexpected element of craftsmanship for collectors who examine the sculpture closely. The same visual language appears on the matching Medicine Buddha statue, helping the two works form a cohesive altar pair.

A Matching Shakyamuni and Medicine Buddha Statue Set

This Antiquated Shakyamuni statue may be displayed with our matching oxidized copper Medicine Buddha statue. Both sculptures were created by the same master artisan and share the same 13.5-inch height, closely related proportions, antiquated copper alloy finish, 24K fire-gilded crown and ornaments, turquoise embellishments, finely engraved robes, and double lotus pedestal. Their raised gilded decorations continue around the rear of the bases, giving the pair a unified appearance when displayed together on an open shrine or altar.

The two Buddhas also form a meaningful doctrinal partnership. Shakyamuni is the historical teacher who discovered and revealed the path to liberation in our world, teaching the Four Noble Truths, ethical discipline, meditation, and wisdom. Medicine Buddha, known as Bhaisajyaguru or Sangye Menla, embodies the healing dimension of enlightened activity and is approached for relief from physical illness, mental affliction, and the deeper causes of suffering. Displayed together, Shakyamuni represents the source and complete teaching of the Dharma, while Medicine Buddha emphasizes the application of that Dharma as a medicine for body and mind. The pair therefore unites the Teacher with the healing power of his enlightened teachings.

Filling, Blessing and Consecration

The statue includes a consecration opening through which it may be filled with sacred texts, rolled mantras, incense, medicinal substances, and other traditional materials before receiving a blessing according to the buyer’s Buddhist lineage. Filling and consecration prepare the handcrafted image for use as an object of meditation, offerings, and veneration. Our guide to Buddha statue filling, blessing, and consecration explains the customary process and the available options for practitioners, collectors, monasteries, and Dharma centers.

Custom Made Antiquated Shakyamuni Statues

Collectors, practitioners, monasteries, and Dharma centers may commission a custom made Tibetan Buddhist statue based upon this crowned Shakyamuni design. A custom Antiquated Shakyamuni statue may be created in a different size with an oxidized copper, partly gilded, fully fire-gilded, or antiquated bronze-patina finish over the copper alloy casting. Available options may include personalized foliate engraving, selected 24K gold details, turquoise or red coral embellishments, facial painting, and customized lotus pedestal ornamentation. Each commission is individually handcrafted in Nepal according to traditional Himalayan iconographic proportions.

A matching Shakyamuni and Medicine Buddha pair may also be commissioned so that both sculptures share the same height, oxidized finish, gilding placement, turquoise settings, engraved foliate patterns, and pedestal dimensions. Commissioning the two figures together allows the master artisan to preserve their visual continuity while expressing their doctrinal relationship: Shakyamuni as the historical teacher who revealed the path beyond suffering, and Medicine Buddha as the healing manifestation of enlightened wisdom that addresses suffering at both physical and spiritual levels. Together they create a balanced shrine devoted to the teaching, practice, and restorative power of the Dharma.