Bronze. Western Himalaya, approx. 12th cent.
In this exceptionally early and rare bronze, Adi Buddha stands in vajrasattva on a powerfully composed, circular lotus base, as well as before a nimbus with flaming border. In the hands, his identifying attributes vajra (thunder bolt) and ghanta (bell), symbolizing the Absolute and the Transient. The athletically-formed torso is nude and wears decorative chains, sashes hanging laterally from the silk robe dukula. Beneath is a closure, some damage on the back on lowest base border, altogether very original and complete condition in good preservation.
HEIGHT 15,5 CM
From an old German collection
青銅造金剛薩埵尊立像。喜馬拉雅地區西部,約12世紀。高15.5厘米。