This sculpture shows Queen Māyādevī, the mother of Gautama Buddha, in her traditional, iconic pose. The sculpture captures the famous moment of the Nativity of the Buddha
This partly 24-karat gold plated sculpture is standing on a copper lotus base and is made by the process of the Lost-Wax system
The lost-wax process, also known as investment casting, is a time-honoured technique used to create metal sculptures. It involves several steps that have been practiced for thousands of years. Skilled artisans begin by sculpting a detailed wax model, capturing every intricate detail of the desired sculpture. The wax model is then coated with a ceramic shell, formed by multiple layers of ceramic material. Once the shell has cured, the wax is melted and drained out, leaving behind a cavity. Molten metal is poured into the cavity, creating a precise replica of the original wax model. After the metal has cooled and solidified, the ceramic shell is carefully removed, revealing the final metal sculpture.
Mercury gold plating involves the application of a genuine layer of gold onto the Maya Devi.
The face is painted with gold to enhance its significant features, particularly the eyes, and lips. It serves as a symbolic and sacred ritual in Buddhism, preparing the statue for consecration and practice. It also represents the intention to bring life and expression to the statue, imbuing it with a sense of vitality and presence
Total weight of 815 grams
20th century Himalayan sacred art