An Important Bronze Figure of Vajrasattva and Consort

KASHMIR, 11TH CENTURY

Details

An Important Bronze Figure of Vajrasattva and Consort
Kashmir, 11th Century
Sensitively cast with his legs folded in dhyanasana seated on a small rounded lotus base, holding the vajra and ghanta, wearing a short dhoti finely incised with bands of geometric patterns, his consort sitting on his lap with her legs dangling down between his and her arm wrapped around his neck in close embrace, both adorned with beaded necklaces and bracelets and a ropetwist garland, Vajrasattva's necklace with an inlaid lapis lazuli pendant, all supported by three vividly modeled elephants on a rectangular plinth, the eyes and urnas inlaid with silver, the lips, nipples and lotus petals around base inlaid with copper
6 in. (15.3 cm.) high

Provenance

Pan-Asian Collection

Literature

P. Pal, The Sensuous Immortals, 1978, cat. no. 29.
U. von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, 1981, fig. 20C.
D. Klimburg-Salter, The Silk Route and the Diamond Path, 1982, pl. 38.
C. Reedy, Himalayan Bronzes, Technology, Style, and Choices, 1997, fig. K92.

Lot Essay

While the use of animals, most often lions, to support a throne is a common feature, no other Kashmiri bronze appears to be recorded employing elephants. While Von Schroeder, Pal and Klimburg-Salter note the formal relationship to wall paintings and clay sculptures of Western Tibetan monasteries, specifically in the Spiti valley, more recent technical studies analyzing the metal composition conducted by C. Reedy, op. cit, p. 170ff., support Kashmir as the most likely region of origin.

More from Indian and Southeast Asian Art

View All