Lot 1583
1583
A RARE GILT-BRONZE FOUR-POINTED VAJRA
VARIOUS PROPERTIES
A RARE GILT-BRONZE FOUR-POINTED VAJRA

Details
A RARE GILT-BRONZE FOUR-POINTED VAJRA
QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

The ritual implement is cast in openwork with four prongs at either end of the handle, each prong is formed issuing from a makara head emerging into an elongated chin, detailed with bosses, tapering to a central post, the handle at centre with demonical masks arranged in three bands at the waisted mid-section, divided by overlapping lotus petals
8 7/8 in. (22 cm. ) wide, box

Lot Essay

This four-pointed vajra is of an uncommon form. Cf. L. Frederic, Buddhism, Flammarion Iconographic Guides, Paris, 1995, p. 65, where it is mentioned that it symbolises the four 'events' in the life of Buddha Gautama, the four Buddhist periods and the Four Great Buddhas.

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