A gilt bronze figure of Yamadharmaraja

TIBETO-CHINESE, 18TH CENTURY

Details

A gilt bronze figure of Yamadharmaraja
Tibeto-Chinese, 18th century
Standing in alidhasana on a recumbent bull over a prostrate figure on a lotus base, wearing a garland of freshly severed heads and a scarf billowing about his shoulders, both arms outstretched, his buffalo face in a wrathful expression with bared fangs, bulging eyes, and sharp horns, his flaming hair secured with a tiara of skulls, cast in two sections and richly gilt overall
3¾ in. (9 cm.) high

Provenance

Hong Kong art market, before 2000

Lot Essay

Yama Dharmaraja is a wisdom deity protector of the father class of Anuttarayoga Tantra. The Gelugpa tradition holds Yama Dharmaraja in a special regard as one of the three main Dharma protectors of the school and also a special protector of Lama Tsongkapa.

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