Northeastern India or Western Tibet, 12th century

This rare early bronze figure of Vajrapani perfectly embodies the Northeast Indian sculptural style in Tibet. Compare with a larger bronze figure of Acala in the Collection of the Potala Palace which displays very similar modeling of the body, facial features, hair, jewelry and the tall double-lotus base. Both works also retain orange polychromy in the hair and a lustrous patina overall (U. von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet, Vol II: Tibet and China, Hong Kong, 2001, p.1112, cat.no.291A).