Description:

Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 18th century CE. A cast bronze plaque with a high relief figure of Vajrapani-Acharya, the protector and guide of Gautama Buddha and one of the earliest bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism. He stands, a fierce expression on his face, his third eye open, wearing a flaming crown studded with small skulls. Comes with custom stand. Size: 5.9" W x 7.25" H (15 cm x 18.4 cm); size on stand: 6.95" W x 4" L x 9.5" H (17.7 cm x 10.2 cm x 24.1 cm)

This depiction is wonderfully detailed, with a multitude of tiny skulls and flames; the face is well-depicted and frightening. Vajrapani-Acharya wears a long, sinuous snake as a necklace and holds a kapala, a skull cup, close to his chest. In his other hand, he holds aloft a vajra -a thunderbolt/mystical weapon as Vajrapani has been associated with thunder deities from earliest times and when Greek culture made contact with Buddhist culture; he was often conflated with the god Hercules. Vajrapani-Acharya dances atop a demon on a raised dais. The piece has had five perforations added along top and bottom borders to attach it to the stand with bronze pins.

Provenance: Ex-New Jersey Collection

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#120065

  • Condition: Patina has been cleaned in some places, as shown. Overall excellent.

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February 9, 2017 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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