The gilded Buddha

Więcej o książce

This book celebrates the traditional metal crafts practiced for over a thousand years by artisans who create religious Buddhist statues in Nepal. With deep respect for tradition, these skilled craftsmen from the Newar ethnic group engage in various specialties, including wax modeling, mold making, casting, fire-gilding, and chasing. Their work embodies a blend of ancient technology, exceptional skill, and religious devotion. While numerous publications focus on Buddhist art and iconography, little has been documented about the artisans who transform religious imagery into metal casts. This book addresses that gap, providing a thorough historical account of the development of this “archaic” technology. It offers a well-informed text and extensive photographic documentation of the ritual production of Buddhist statues using the lost wax casting technique, which is now at risk of disappearing. The author, Dr. Alex Furger, an archaeologist with four decades of experience in ancient metallurgy, has spent significant time in Nepal, interviewing craftsmen in their workshops. This work appeals to those interested in cultural history, travelers to Asia, collectors of Buddha statues, metalworkers, technology historians, Buddhists, ethnologists, archaeologists, art historians, and scholars of Asia, as well as libraries and museums.