Lot 73
73
A rare black stone stele of Vajravarahi
ANOTHER PROPERTY
A rare black stone stele of Vajravarahi

NEPAL, 15TH CENTURY

Details
A rare black stone stele of Vajravarahi
Nepal, 15th century
Dancing on her left foot over a supplicant on a double-lotus base, holding a skull cup, khatvanga and a curved knife, adorned with jewelry and a garland of skulls, her wrathful face with three bulging eyes surmounted by a skull tiara and high chignon topped by the sow's head, backed by a flaming mandorla, the base centered by auspicious offerings flanked by two kneeling worshippers
8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm.) high
Provenance
Acquired in New York by 1998
Literature
P. Pal, Himalayas, an Aesthetic Adventure, 2003, p.227-228, figure 148

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Lot Essay

Though Vajravarahi is frequently depicted in union with Chakrasamvara as the embodiment of wisdom, she also has an independent identity as a supreme deity and enlightened female. Milarepa sang her praises as follows:
Woman is essentially wisdom,
Source of spontaneous prajna and subtle body
Never consider her inferior;
Strive especially to see her as Vajravarahi

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