{"product_id":"monumental-silvered-bronze-bhaisajyaguru-medicine-buddha-newar-tradition-kathmandu-valley-for-tibet-ca-1450-1600","title":"Monumental Silvered Bronze Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha), Newar Tradition, Kathmandu Valley for Tibet, ca. 1450–1600","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family: 'Inter',sans-serif; color: #222; line-height: 1.8; max-width: 900px; margin: auto;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 46.0 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14.0 kg\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Solid lost-wax cast copper alloy with historical silver-plated finish and gilded accents\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Two-part cast (figure and lotus base manufactured separately)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kathmandu Valley (Newar tradition), manufactured for the Tibetan Buddhist world\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDating:\u003c\/strong\u003e ca. 1450–1600\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 1px solid #d8d8d8; margin: 35px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond',serif; font-size: 24px; color: #3f698c; font-weight: 500;\"\u003eAn exceptional example of historical Himalayan bronze art\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis monumental representation of \u003cstrong\u003eBhaisajyaguru\u003c\/strong\u003e, the Buddha of Healing and Medicinal Wisdom, is among the most technically refined Himalayan objects we have examined to date. The combination of monumental dimensions, exceptional weight, high-quality chiseling, two-part construction, and a historical silver-plated finish clearly places this statue within the highest segment of traditional Newar metal art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring an extensive technical examination, both the exterior and the internal construction were investigated. In addition, the casting core, the structure of the statue, the finish, the wear, and the iconography have been extensively documented and compared with documented objects from international museum and auction collections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 1px solid #d8d8d8; margin: 35px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond',serif; font-size: 24px; color: #3f698c; font-weight: 500;\"\u003eTraditional lost-wax casting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe statue was crafted using the centuries-old \u003cstrong\u003elost-wax\u003c\/strong\u003e technique. The Buddha and the monumental double lotus base were cast separately and later joined together, a construction method characteristic of high-quality historical Himalayan bronze art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInspection of the interior shows that the original casting core has largely been preserved. Additionally, an original magnetic iron core support was identified that was used during the casting process to stably position the clay core. The presence of this structure constitutes an important technical feature of traditional manual lost-wax castings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFurthermore, the interior shows remnants of the original casting core with a natural granular structure and organic inclusions, consistent with historical Himalayan casting techniques in which clay was mixed with mineral and plant materials to keep the core stable during the casting process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 1px solid #d8d8d8; margin: 35px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond',serif; font-size: 24px; color: #3f698c; font-weight: 500;\"\u003eHistoric finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior possesses an exceptionally well-preserved silver-colored finish that still shows a clear reflection in protected areas. In combination with the gilded accents present on the hair curls, among other things, this points to a precious historical surface treatment that goes considerably beyond the standard finish of religious temple statues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeneath the surface, natural copper corrosion products are visible, including green malachite formation and reddish-brown oxidation, consistent with a copper-containing alloy that has aged naturally over a long period of time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 1px solid #d8d8d8; margin: 35px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond',serif; font-size: 24px; color: #3f698c; font-weight: 500;\"\u003eBhaisajyaguru – The Medicine Buddha\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithin Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, Bhaisajyaguru is regarded as the Buddha of Healing. He symbolizes physical recovery, mental purification, and spiritual enlightenment. In his left hand, he carries the medicine bowl, while the richly detailed medicinal plant refers to the healing wisdom with which it is traditionally associated.\n\nThe monumental botanical rendering of this plant is one of the most striking elements of the sculpture. In combination with the finely chiseled leaves, flower, and stem, it forms an important iconographic element that underscores the exceptional quality level of this object.\n\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 1px solid #d8d8d8; margin: 35px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond',serif; font-size: 24px; color: #3f698c; font-weight: 500;\"\u003eNewar mastery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe shaping of the face, the long almond-shaped eyes, the subtle lips, the elegant neck, the monumental lotus base, and the exceptionally refined chiseling closely align with classic Newar bronze art from the Kathmandu Valley. The combination of these features with Tibetan religious iconography points to manufacture for the Tibetan Buddhist world by a workshop fully familiar with the highest Newar traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticularly noteworthy are the richly engraved robe hem, the finely detailed palms, and the monumental double lotus base. Virtually every visible surface is hand-chiseled, integrating both decorative and religious motifs into the design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 1px solid #d8d8d8; margin: 35px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond',serif; font-size: 24px; color: #3f698c; font-weight: 500;\"\u003eNatural wear and patina\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe statue possesses a homogeneous historical wear pattern that is consistently visible across the entire surface. The raised parts of the engravings have been gradually rounded off through prolonged ritual handling, while the deeper parts of the chasing have retained their original sharpness. This combination of wear, natural patina formation, and internal aging forms a consistent historical whole.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe internal construction also exhibits long-term natural mineralization and corrosion formation, consistent with a historical object that has been preserved undisturbed for a long time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 1px solid #d8d8d8; margin: 35px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond',serif; font-size: 24px; color: #3f698c; font-weight: 500;\"\u003eResearch Status\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn extensive internal research dossier has been compiled for this sculpture, in which the construction, casting technique, iconography, and stylistic characteristics have been documented in detail. The current research results support the provisional attribution to a high-quality Newar workshop from the Kathmandu Valley, manufactured for the Tibetan Buddhist world. Further comparisons with documented museum objects are part of the ongoing research.","brand":"1stbuddha","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57792628883787,"sku":"708","price":221208.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1012\/6170\/5547\/files\/newar-bhaisajyaguru-medicijnboeddha-verzilverd-brons-vooraanzicht.jpg?v=1783515273","url":"https:\/\/1stbuddha.com\/products\/monumental-silvered-bronze-bhaisajyaguru-medicine-buddha-newar-tradition-kathmandu-valley-for-tibet-ca-1450-1600","provider":"1stbuddha","version":"1.0","type":"link"}