Products

Bronze

Lost-Wax Cast Masterpieces — Patan's 2,000-Year Metalworking Tradition

Made to order MOQ 5-10 pieces for standard designs 4-8 weeks for standard pieces

Made to order, quoted per enquiry

We do not hold metal & bronze statues in stock. Work is made by the Kathmandu Valley workshop that fits the specification, so tell us what you need and we will come back with a price against your quantity and finish.

Minimum order
5-10 pieces for standard designs; single-piece commissions quoted individually
Indicative price
Small ungilded copper or brass pieces from roughly $25-$120; mid-size $100-$400; gilded and large pieces $400-$2,000+. Gilding is the single biggest price driver.
Lead time
4-8 weeks for standard pieces, 8-16 weeks for large or custom commissions
  • Reference retail, Patan gilded pieces: 8" Manjushri, gold-gilded — $899
  • Reference retail: 10" 24K gold-gilded — $1,269-$1,369
  • Reference retail: 13.5" fire-gilded — $3,699
  • Reference retail: 18.5" fire-gilded — $2,679
  • Custom commissions: mould and wax model are normally a separate one-off charge on top of the piece

Indicative market range from desk research, not a workshop quote. Confirm before quoting a buyer.

Request a quote How wholesale works

About bronze

The Newari metalworkers of Patan (Lalitpur) are among the world's finest bronze casters, continuing a tradition that stretches back over 2,000 years. Their lost-wax (cire perdue) casting technique produces extraordinary Buddha statues, Hindu deities, and decorative figures that are sought after by temples, collectors, galleries, and interior designers worldwide. Each statue begins as a hand-sculpted wax model, is encased in clay, and fired to melt the wax and create a mold — hence 'lost wax.' Molten bronze or brass is poured into the mold, and after cooling, the clay is broken away to reveal the metal figure. Fine detailing, chasing, and gold or copper gilding are applied by hand.

How they are made

A master sculptor creates the original model in beeswax, building fine details layer by layer. The wax model is coated in multiple layers of fine clay and allowed to dry completely — this can take 1-2 weeks. The clay mold is fired in a kiln, melting out the wax and hardening the mold. Molten bronze (heated to approximately 1,100 degrees C) is poured into the cavity. After cooling, the clay mold is carefully broken away — each mold is destroyed in this process, making every piece unique. The rough casting is then filed, chased (detailed with fine engraving tools), and polished. For gold-gilded statues, a mercury-gold amalgam is applied and heated to bond pure gold to the surface — a technique called fire gilding that produces an unmatched luster.

Bronze — questions people ask

What is the difference between bronze and brass statues?
Bronze (copper-tin alloy) is harder, more durable, and develops a richer patina over time. It is the traditional material for high-quality Nepali statues. Brass (copper-zinc alloy) is softer, has a brighter yellow color, and is less expensive. Both are used in Nepali statue making, with bronze preferred for collectors and brass for decorative and commercial markets.
Are the gold-plated statues real gold?
Our fire-gilded statues use genuine 24-karat gold applied through the traditional mercury amalgam process, which creates a permanent gold coating that will not peel or wear off. This is different from modern gold electroplating, which is thinner and less durable. We also offer more affordable gold-painted versions using high-quality gold paint.
Can I export antique-style statues from Nepal?
All our statues are newly made by contemporary artisans — we do not deal in genuine antiques. New statues can be freely exported with standard commercial documentation. We provide certificates confirming the items are new handicraft products, not archaeological artifacts, which satisfies customs requirements in destination countries.
How are large statues shipped safely?
Large statues are custom crated in wooden boxes with foam padding and moisture barrier wrapping. We use experienced freight forwarders who specialize in art and handicraft shipments. Insurance is recommended for high-value pieces and can be arranged through our logistics partners.
Can I commission a custom statue design?
Yes, our master sculptors can create custom designs based on your reference images or specifications. Custom commissions require detailed discussion, a design approval stage, 50% advance payment, and 8-16 weeks for completion. Minimum order is 1 piece for custom work.

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