Esoteric Personification of the Vajra
This wrathful Tantric Buddhist personage, with a shaved head, a vertical third eye, and upward-pointing fangs, is unidentified. His jewelry derives from eastern Indian prototypes of the Pala period (9th–12th century). He points a single-pronged thunderbolt scepter (vajra) toward a heart-shaped cavity at the center of his chest, itself occupied by a multipronged vajra. In his raised hand he holds a sword pommel with a guard in the shape of a lion's head.
Artwork Details
- Title: Esoteric Personification of the Vajra
- Date: 15th century
- Culture: Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
- Medium: Copper with traces of gilding
- Dimensions: H. 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm); W. 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm)
- Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, in honor of Douglas Dillon, 2001
- Object Number: 2001.209
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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16th century
16th century
16th century
Accession Number: 2001.59
15th century
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