A radiant gold-painted face emerges from the deep copper patina of this 15.25″ Four-Armed Chenrezig statue, creating a compelling focal point within an otherwise warm and understated antiquated finish. Handcrafted in Patan, Nepal, by a master Newar artisan, the sculpture was produced from copper alloy using the traditional lost wax casting method. Chenrezig wears an elaborate five-pointed Bodhisattva crown, large floral earrings, layered necklaces, armbands and bracelets, while his dark hair rises in a tiered topknot and descends in long tresses behind the shoulders. The face is hand painted with gold and natural pigments, with carefully drawn eyes, eyebrows and lips giving the figure a calm and compassionate expression.
The richly oxidized surface preserves the visibility of the artisan’s carving throughout the sculpture. Fine floral and scrolling designs cover the dhoti, shoulder cape and lower garments, while beaded borders define the jewelry, clothing and lotus throne. At the buyer’s request, the crown and jewels of this Chenrezig Bodhisattva statue can be further embellished with turquoise and red coral stones before shipping at no additional charge. Turquoise provides a traditional blue-green accent against the dark copper, while red ornaments create a visual connection with Amitabha Buddha, the spiritual teacher traditionally associated with Chenrezig.
Four-Armed Chenrezig Statue Features
This four-armed Chenrezig is seated in the full lotus posture on a substantial double lotus pedestal. His two principal hands meet before the heart in the devotional gesture associated with the cintamani, or wish-fulfilling jewel. The jewel symbolizes Chenrezig’s compassionate aspiration to fulfill the deepest needs of sentient beings by guiding them toward liberation rather than merely satisfying temporary worldly desires.
His upper right hand holds a strand of 108 mala beads, representing his ceaseless recitation of Om Mani Padme Hum for the benefit of all beings. The mantra is one of the most widely practiced in Tibetan Buddhism; explore the meaning of Om Mani Padme Hum syllable by syllable. His upper left hand supports a lotus blossom, recalling the Sanskrit name Padmapani, meaning “lotus holder.” The lotus rises from impure water without being stained by it, expressing the possibility of awakening while living within the conditions of samsara.
The four arms are commonly associated with the four immeasurable qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity. Together, the mala, lotus and principal hands communicate Chenrezig’s unbroken compassionate activity. Learn more about Chenrezig’s role and iconography in Tibetan Buddhism, or compare additional forms in our collection of Avalokiteshvara and Chenrezig statues.
Chenrezig and Dolkar Companion Statue Pair
This Chenrezig Bodhisattva statue was created by the same master artisan as our matching 15.5″ Dolkar statue. Their nearly identical proportions, deep oxidized copper finishes, radiant gold-painted faces and complementary double lotus pedestals make them especially harmonious when displayed together on a Buddhist altar. The relationship is also spiritually meaningful: according to Tibetan tradition, Dolkar, or White Tara, arose from a compassionate tear shed by Chenrezig as he contemplated the suffering of sentient beings. Displayed as a pair, Chenrezig embodies limitless compassion, while Dolkar expresses the healing, serenity and longevity that arise from compassionate activity.
Custom Chenrezig Bodhisattva Statues
Collectors seeking a different size, finish or arrangement may commission a custom Tibetan Buddhist statue through our workshop in Patan. A custom Chenrezig Bodhisattva statue may be produced in oxidized copper, fire gilded in genuine 24K gold using traditional techniques, or completed with a combination of finishes. The crown and jewelry may also be set with turquoise, coral or other suitable stones. Because each wax model is sculpted and cast individually, the completed statue remains a distinctive work of Himalayan Buddhist art rather than a mass-produced reproduction.
Authentic, Handmade in Nepal
Every statue and ritual item 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.
