Page 154 - Bonhams, Fine Chinese Art, London November 3, 2022

176
A FINE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF YAMA DHARMARAJA According to the Vajrabhairava Tantra, Manjushri took the form of Yama
18th century Dharmaraja to subdue Death (‘Yama’), the personification of endless
Cast in two parts, the buffalo-headed deity depicted astride his bull suffering through the cycle of death and rebirth. As this tantra is widely
mount, with bulging eyes, bared fangs, and flaming hair, clad in heavy practiced in Tibetan Buddhism, Yama Dharmaraja can be found as an
jewellery and garlands of heads, the bull also decorated with beaded important wisdom deity in all traditions including the Sakya, Kagyu,
jewellery, atop a further figure lying prostrate. and Gelug schools. He holds special significance for the Gelugpa, who
15.5cm (6 1/8in) high. (2). regard him, alongside Shadbhuja Mahakala and Vaishravana, as one
of the order’s three principal protectors. See a related figure of Yama
£3,000 - 5,000 Dharmaraja illustrated by U.von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes,
CNY24,000 - 39,000 Hong Kong, 1981, pp.550-551, no.157E.

A similar gilt copper alloy figure of Yama Dharmaraja, 18th century, was
十八世紀 銅鎏金閻魔護法像 sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 7 October 2019, lot 941.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
152 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.