This remarkable 10.75-inch Multicolored Shakyamuni Buddha Sculpture combines traditional Himalayan metalwork with an exceptionally vibrant polychrome finish. Handmade in Patan, Nepal from copper alloy using the lost-wax casting method, the sculpture is richly hand painted in red, green, blue, pink, orange and golden tones, with carefully applied 24K gold details illuminating the robe and decorative surfaces. Shakyamuni — the historical Gautama Buddha, also known as Shakya Thubpa and Sangye Tomba — sits serenely in full lotus posture, creating an intimate yet visually elaborate representation of the teacher whose enlightenment established the Buddhist tradition of our present age.
The robe is one of the sculpture’s most distinctive accomplishments. Its deep red ground is covered almost completely with intricate golden floral vines, lotus blossoms and scrolling foliage, accented by painted pink and blue flowers. Dark green ornamental bands edged with scrolling designs follow the neckline, sleeves and lower hemlines, while a small layered blue, red and gold textile ornament rests over the left shoulder. The same elaborate decoration continues across the back of the robe, where large flowering vines create a remarkably complete composition rather than leaving the rear surface comparatively plain. Genuine turquoise and red coral may also be embedded along selected robe borders upon request before shipment, providing an optional jeweled enhancement to the existing painted decoration.
Multicolored Shakyamuni Buddha Sculpture Iconography
Shakyamuni displays the Bhumisparsha mudra, or earth-touching gesture, with his right arm extending naturally over the knee and the fingertips directed toward the ground. This recalls the moment beneath the Bodhi tree when Siddhartha called the earth to witness his accumulated merit as Mara challenged his attainment. The gesture therefore represents unwavering realization and the triumph of wisdom over delusion. His left hand rests open in Dhyana mudra, supporting a dark alms bowl whose lid is painted with a radiating blue-and-gold design. The bowl recalls the Buddha’s renunciation of royal privilege and his life as a mendicant teacher.
Additional marks of Buddhahood include the elongated earlobes, serene downcast eyes, urna between the brows and tightly curled blue-black hair rising into the ushnisha, capped by a small golden finial. Even the upward-facing soles are carefully painted with small auspicious floral emblems, showing the degree to which the artisan continued the polychrome treatment into areas that are easily overlooked.
Vibrant Polychrome Double Lotus Throne
The elaborate pedestal is nearly as distinctive as the figure itself. Shakyamuni rests upon a pale upper seat surrounded by two broad tiers of raised lotus petals painted alternately in saturated blue and green, with pink-red interiors and gleaming gold centers. Orange, turquoise and red bands separate the lotus courses, while the lowest edge is bordered with a repeating geometric design. Delicate painted foliage continues across the rounded pedestal surfaces, producing a coordinated multicolored setting rather than a simple supporting base. The contrast between the warm golden body, red-and-gold robe and brilliantly colored throne gives this sculpture exceptional visual presence from every angle.
A Complementary Three-Buddha Display
This sculpture is especially well suited to display with our multicolored Amitabha Buddha statue and multicolored Medicine Buddha statue. Their related polychrome palettes and gold detailing create visual continuity, while their meanings are complementary: Shakyamuni represents the historical source of the Dharma, Amitabha embodies boundless light and the Pure Land tradition, and Medicine Buddha expresses healing and the alleviation of suffering. Together they form a balanced altar arrangement united by both craftsmanship and Buddhist symbolism.
Filling and Consecration in Kathmandu, Nepal
For practitioners who wish to prepare the sculpture for devotional use, traditional statue filling and consecration can be arranged in Kathmandu before shipment. Sacred texts, mantras and appropriate substances are placed inside the statue before it is ritually blessed according to Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Learn more about our Buddha statue filling, blessing and consecration service and the steps involved in preparing a statue for an altar or shrine.
Custom Multicolored Shakyamuni Buddha Statues
If you would prefer this design in another size, a different color palette, an alternative gilding treatment or with turquoise and red coral embellishment, we can commission a related sculpture directly from our artisans in Nepal. Our custom Tibetan Buddhist statues service allows collectors, Dharma centers and practitioners to specify dimensions, finishes and selected decorative details while retaining traditional Buddhist iconography and handmade lost-wax construction.
Authentic, Handmade in Nepal
Every statue 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.
