Page 32 - Bonhams Himalayan, Indian Art march 2015

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A copper alloy figure of a Heruka
Tibet, 13th century and associated base
Dynamically cast with six arms holding prescribed attributes, wearing an elephant skin behind
his shoulders with its trunk hanging above his right thigh and its tail over his left shoulder, his
flame-like hair with remains of pigment.
6 1/4 in. (15 7/8 cm) high
$10,000 - 15,000

This figure’s animal skin patterns, alloy, and energy show the hallmarks of early Tibetan
sculptures of wrathful deities. Compare with a 12th-century Kalajambhala in the Essen
Collection (see Essen & Thingo, Die Götter des Himalaya, p. 239, no. 149). A thin garland of
dried skulls encircles his limbs and drapes below his rotund belly. His three fierce faces bare
fangs and glaring eyes below diadems of entwined snakes and jewels.

Although a heruka from the Nyingma tradition, and likely an esoteric terma deity, his precise
identity is unknown. Unusually, he holds a vajra rather than a purbha to the skullcup before
his chest. In his other hands he holds a human corpse, as well as a damaru, arrow, and the
remains of another attribute.

Referenced
HAR – himalayanart.org/image.cfm/41229.html

Provenance
Private New York Collection
Acquired in New York in 2007

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