Tibetan & Nepalese Buddhist Statues
The art of statue casting reached Nepal together with Pala art more than 2,000 years ago, after which the Nepalis were quickly acknowledged as the masters of this craft across most of Asia. It is assumed that even well-known Chinese bronze statues were originally crafted by Nepali artists. Today, the last great masters of statue casting are found only in Nepal. The main materials are bronze, copper and brass; gold and silver were reserved for the Dalai Lama, scholars and monasteries.
The cultural importance of Nepali and Tibetan statues is evident in their expressiveness. The wide range of motifs shows that the artists – mostly monks or other scholars – were faithful followers of Lamaism. These statues were crafted to honour gods, goddesses or dignitaries and were often used in tantric rituals.
Together with my Large Statues and some of the Masterpieces, this collection provides a unique overview of the Nepali-Tibetan religious legacy. It mainly consists of smaller statues of high artistic value – most of them highly unique. Apart from the silver and bronze statues, all are fire-gilt – a technique still practised in Nepal. Many were acquired from Tibetans I met during late evenings at my friends’ house in Kathmandu; the others I took over from the family collection at the beginning of this century.
FAQ
What materials are the statues made of?
Mostly copper, bronze or brass; most copper statues are fire-gilt. A few rare pieces are silver. Each listing states the material as described.
How can I recognise fire gilding?
Fire gilding tends to have a warm, soft lustre that bonds closely to the metal and wears naturally on raised areas, unlike paint or modern electroplating. Close-up photos can be sent on request.
Can I view a statue in person?
The collection is located in Switzerland. Please contact me to discuss your interest in a specific piece.
Important: all descriptions of the statues were provided to Fine Asian Art by the original seller and may contain inaccuracies. All indications of age are given without scientific testing. All offers are subject to prior sale and price changes. More information or additional photos of a statue can be provided on request.