A gilt bronze figure of a Pancha Raksha deity

TIBETO-CHINESE, 15TH CENTURY

Details

A gilt bronze figure of a Pancha Raksha deity
Tibeto-Chinese, 15th century
Seated in dhyanasana on a double-lotus base, holding a rolled manuscript and the stem of a lotus blossoming at her shoulder and supporting flaming jewels, clad in a close-fitting dhoti and richly adorned with beaded jewelry and a flowing sash, the face with gentle smile and downcast eyes surmounted by an elaborate foliate tiara, the base sealed and incised with a double-vajra and the Eight Auspicious Symbols
8¼ in. (21 cm.) high

Provenance

Private collection, London, acquired in 1998
Distinguished private collection, New York, acquired in 2004

Literature

Rossi & Rossi, Beyond Lhasa: Sculpture and Painting from East and West Tibet, 2002, cat. no. 11
Himalayan Art Resources (himalayanart.org), item no.

Exhibited

Beyond Lhasa: Sculpture and Painting from East and West Tibet, Rossi & Rossi, London, 7-30 November 2002, cat. no. 11

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Lot Essay

The Pancha Raksha, or "five protector goddesses," are a group of five female deities that are personifications of five early Buddhist texts (sutras), the oldest of which dates to the 4th century. Principle among the five deities are Maha Pratisara, Maha Sahasrapramardini, Maya Mayuri, Shitavati and Mantra Manudharani. Each has specific functions directed towards accomplishing worldly welfare and happiness, preventing and surviving natural disasters, curing snakebites, overcoming fear, and averting pestilence and epidemics.

The inconography for the Pancha Raksha varies with local practice, and each can differ in color, attributes, and number of faces and arms, making it difficult to identify any representation of these deities with a particular sutra.

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