A Bronze Figure of a Tantric Vajrapani

TIBETO-CHINESE, QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-95)

Details

A Bronze Figure of a Tantric Vajrapani
Tibeto-Chinese, Qianlong Six-Character Mark and of the Period (1736-95)
The three-headed figure with six radiating arms holding a wheel, vajra, jewel, lotus, hilt and bell, richly adorned and cold gilt bearing the reign mark and inscriptions in Chinese at front rim of base referring to Vajrapani, and a transliteration at back rim to the 'Anuttara positive essence foundation'
6 3/8 in. (16.6 cm.) high

Lot Essay

This esoteric form of Vajrapani holds various implements as symbols of the five Buddhist teachings emanating from the Tathagathas. The sculpture is one of a set that was in the Baoxianglo (Pao-hsiang Lou), a former palace and temple of the Qianlong Emperor's mother. Compare to another form of Vajrapani in the set bearing the same inscription in W. Clark, Two Lamaistic Pantheons, 1965, p. 56; and another closely related example of a form of Manjushri, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, cf. G. Béguin, Dieux et Démons de l'Himâlaya, 1977, cat. no. 214.

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