Fire-gilt bronze. Tibet, 20th cent.
The dharmapala (guardian deity) Yamantaka in the form of Vajrabhairava, elaborately detailed and depicted with 9 heads, 34 arms and 16 legs. Yamantaka (lit. “terminator of Yama”, the god of death) is a tantric form of the bodhisattva Manjushri. Wide lotus base holding numerous small figures including Hindu gods in adoration, cattle, birds, etc., which Vajrabhairava is standing on. The bull-headed deity has flaming horns and portrayed in sexual union with his consort, who is holding a scull cup kapala and the chopper karttrika in her hands, as Yamantaka is in his primary hands. The other 34 hands hold the adequate attributes. The nimbus is a rendition of dense flames. On the closure at the bottom is a vishvavajra. This multipartite bronze is well-preserved and notably also complete with all parts.
HEIGHT 29 CM, BASE WIDTH 19,5 CM