TIBET, XVEME SIECLE

The carving of this black stone figure is exceptional of detail and quality and has survived man and time well. The superb quality of the carving indicates that it must have been the work of a master sculptor. This rare multi-headed and multi-armed figure represents Mahasamvara, a cosmic form of Samvara in union with his consort Vajravarahi. They trample on the Hindu gods Kalaratri and Bhairava. His crossed principle hands hold the vajra and ghanta symbolizing the transcendency of duality. The pair below is in the kshepanamudra or the gesture of sprinkling the ambrosia. He is an important esoteric deity within Vajrayana Buddhism, presides a popular tantric system and has even a tantra text named after him.