Untitled

Unknown

ca. 17th century · Gilt-copper alloy inlaid with semiprecious stones · Asian Art

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.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 17th century

Medium

Gilt-copper alloy inlaid with semiprecious stones

Culture

Tibet

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Mavis Pudding, 1979