Untitled

Unknown

15th century · Gilt copper alloy with inlaid silver filaments, turquoise, and semiprecious stones · Asian Art

The Buddha Vajradhara is a divine manifestation of the totality of Buddhist teachings and is credited with being the source of the Buddhist tantric texts. Here, he holds a vajra and a bell that symbolizes energy (male) and emptiness (female). This sculpture is remarkable for the many surviving original inset pieces of turquoise and semiprecious stones and for the silver wire inlay in his dhoti (loincloth). These components indicate his divine status and evoke the crystalline nature of the heaven where he resides.

Artist

Unknown

Date

15th century

Medium

Gilt copper alloy with inlaid silver filaments, turquoise, and semiprecious stones

Culture

Tibet

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Bequest of W. Gedney Beatty, 1941