A Sandstone Stele of a Female Deity from the Pancha Raksha

NEPAL, CIRCA 16TH CENTURY

Details
A Sandstone Stele of a Female Deity from the Pancha Raksha
Nepal, circa 16th century
Seated in dhyanasana over a double-lotus throne, her eight arms carrying various implements and radiating about her, the four faces backed by a nimbus and aureola with petal borders
13¾ in. (35 cm.) high
Provenance
Acquired in New York by 1971
Exhibited
On loan to the Brooklyn Museum of Art, New York, from 1971-2009 (L71.13.10)

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Anita Mehta
Anita Mehta

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Lot Essay

The Pancha Raksha are a group of five female deities that are anthropomorphic representations of five early Buddhist sutras. Each of the deities have certain abilities, including preventing disasters and pestilence, overcoming fear, and curing snakebites. While various manifestations and forms of the Pancha Raksha can be found throughout the Buddhist world, the representations with multiple arms and heads are most popular in Nepal.

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