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Lot Essay
The dating of this lot is consistent with the results of the Carbon-14 test by Beta Analytic Inc., Beta-22779, ETH-3370.
The Vidyarajas are known in Chinese as 'Ming Wang' or 'Bright Kings'. Each of the five Vidyarajas assumes a different form. They are kings of the mystic or magical knowledge symbolising power and victory over sentient passions and desires. It has been suggested that these mystic figures were ascribed with the power of protecting humans against evil influences by Buddhist monks, probably as early as the 13th century. While the function of this brocade roundel is not known, it is interesting to note that Jeff Watt writes in the Sakya Resource Guide, 2012, that the image of Mahakala was use by Kublai Khan and the Mongolian army as a war standard, or flag, during the Yuan dynasty.
The Vidyarajas are known in Chinese as 'Ming Wang' or 'Bright Kings'. Each of the five Vidyarajas assumes a different form. They are kings of the mystic or magical knowledge symbolising power and victory over sentient passions and desires. It has been suggested that these mystic figures were ascribed with the power of protecting humans against evil influences by Buddhist monks, probably as early as the 13th century. While the function of this brocade roundel is not known, it is interesting to note that Jeff Watt writes in the Sakya Resource Guide, 2012, that the image of Mahakala was use by Kublai Khan and the Mongolian army as a war standard, or flag, during the Yuan dynasty.