Gilded Bronze Sculpture Depicting Maya Devi

Gilded bronze sculpture depicting Maya Devi
This sculpture depicts Queen Māyādevī, mother of Gautama Buddha, in her iconic traditional pose. It immortalizes the famous moment of the Buddha’s birth.
This sculpture, partially plated with 24-karat gold, rests on a copper lotus-shaped pedestal and was created using the lost-wax casting process.
The lost-wax process, also known as lost-wax casting, is an ancient technique used to create metal sculptures. It involves several steps that have been practiced for thousands of years. Skilled artisans begin by sculpting a highly detailed wax model, reproducing every intricate detail of the desired sculpture. The wax model is then encased in a ceramic shell, formed from multiple layers of ceramic material. Once the shell has hardened, the wax is melted and removed, leaving a cavity. Molten metal is poured into this cavity, creating a precise replica of the original wax model. Once the metal has cooled and solidified, the ceramic shell is carefully removed, revealing the final metal sculpture.
Mercury-based gold plating involves applying a layer of real gold to the statue of Maya Devi.
The face is painted gold to highlight its striking features, particularly the eyes and lips. This is a symbolic and sacred ritual in Buddhism, which prepares the statue for consecration and spiritual practice. It also represents the intention to breathe life and expression into the statue, imbuing it with a sense of vitality and presence.
21 cm high, 8 cm wide, and 6 cm deep
Total weight: 815 grams
Tibetan religious art