Untitled

Unknown

ca. 12th century · Phyllite · Asian Art

A popular Vajrayana deity in eastern India, Chakrasamvara here holds a range of weapons and stands in a sexual embrace with his consort Vajravarahi atop two demons. The Chakrasamvara Tantra text emerged in the eighth or ninth century and clearly links to the quasi-heretical Kapalika sect’s esoteric conceptions of the Hindu god Shiva. Small sculptures like this one freely moved across north India and Bangladesh, making their way to Tibet, giving these refined representations outsized importance.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 12th century

Medium

Phyllite

Culture

India (Bengal) or Bangladesh

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Perry J. Lewis, 1988