MONGOLIE, XVIIIEME SIECLE

Details

STATUE DE HAYAGRIVA EN BRONZE DORE PARTIELLEMENT REPOUSSE
MONGOLIE, XVIIIEME SIECLE
Représenté en yab-yum avec sa shakti, le dieu debout en pratyalidhasana, ses quatre jambes écrasant deux démons reposant sur une base lotiforme conçue séparément, les deux mains principales du dieu devant tenir le kapala et le karttrika à l'origine, les quatre autres mains en tarjanimudra, les ailes déployées, enlaçant sa parèdre, celle-ci devant tenir un attribut à l'origine, tous deux vêtus de peaux de tigres, parés de bijoux, les trois visages du dieu et celui de sa shakti à l'air menaçant et rehaussés du troisième oeil, les détails peints, le front du dieu ceint d'une couronne de crânes, ses cheveux hirsutes formés de flammes laissant apparaître un serpent et une tête de cheval, scellé
Hauteur: 43 cm. (17 in.)

Provenance

Acquired by the present owner in circa 1976.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT payable at 19.6% (5.5% for books) will be added to the buyer’s premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Further details

A GILT-BRONZE PARTLY-REPOUSSE FIGURE OF HAYAGRIVA
MONGOLIA, 18TH CENTURY

Lot Essay

This rare representation of Hayagriva, embracing his consort and having wings, has like other guardian deities in Tibetan Buddhism become a defender of the faith and is of Brahmanic origin. In Mahayana Buddhism he was associated with the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara and particularly in his eight-armed manifestation. In the Second Diffusion of Buddhism in Tibet he was especially promoted by Atisha (982-1054) and in due time became linked to all cults featuring horse spirits. Not unsurprisingly, he proved very popular amongst the nomadic Mongolians as well. In Tantric Buddhism his demon-conquering abilities were emphasized, both as dharmapala and as important guardian of the dGe.lugs.pa order. His neighing wards off demons and he is invoked during certain exorcism rituals.
Most probably this bronze figure was made in Mongolia for followers of the Tibetan Buddhist faith.

A comparable Mongolian example of Hayagriva with wings and embracing his consort is published by G. Béguin in Tibet, Terreur et Magie, Brussels, pl.14.

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