Vajravarahi

ca. 17th century

Not on view

Vajravarahi, a major deity in the Vajrayana tradition, witnesses the merging of Hindu iconography in the expanded Buddhist pantheon. This wrathful goddess has evolved from Varahi, one of the fearsome seven mother goddess of Hinduism, the Matrikas. Here she has lost the projecting boar head of earlier versions that linked her with Vishnu’s boar avatar Varaha.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Vajravarahi
Date: ca. 17th century
Culture: Tibet
Medium: Gilt-copper alloy inlaid with semiprecious stones
Dimensions: H. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm); W. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm); D. 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm)
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Gift of Mavis Pudding, 1979
Object Number: 1979.504
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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