Page 86 - Bonhams Presencer Buddhist Art Collection Oct. 2 2018

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A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF VAJRAPANI
MONGOLIA, 18TH CENTURY
Himalayan Art Resources item no. 61671
16 cm (6 1/4 in.) high
HK$400,000 - 600,000

蒙古 十八世纪 銅鎏金金剛手菩薩像

Vajrapani is the Bodhisattva of Power. He is one of the religion’s
earliest protectors. Depicted in Gandharan art he often accompanies
Shakyamuni in conversion scenes, helping to enforce them (c.f. Zin,
“Vajrapani in the Narrative Reliefs”, Migration, Trade and Peoples,
Part 2: Gandharan Art, London, 2005, pp.73-83). Whereas in
Gandhara Vajrapani appears in human form, he undergoes a gradual
transformation into the immense figure of a yaksha, an ancient Indian
spirit deity (cf. Linrothe, Ruthless Compassion, London, 1999).
Vajrapani is the preeminent guardian of Vajrayana Buddhism and its
followers, and his overwhelming appearance expresses his absolute
capacity to subdue any physical or spiritual threat.

In his upraised right hand Vajrapani, wields the vajra, an ancient
weapon, the former thunderbolt of the Vedic god Indra. With his left,
Vajrapani displays the mudra of exorcism. He stands in ‘warrior pose’
wearing a tiger skin and snake (naga) in his hair, which represents his
ability to quell poisonous phenomena.

The present sculpture’s robust torso, strong limbs, and lotus base
are characteristic of 18th-century Mongolian sculpture following the
development of the Zanabazar school. Zanabazar (1635–1723) was
a Gelug hierarch with strong social and political influence during the
17th century. He was also an exceptional artist, who employed master
Newar craftsmen to develop his school’s style. A closely related
Zanabazar school Vajrapani was sold at Christie’s, New York, 21
March 2008, lot 614. Compare the similar multi-layered lotus base with
beaded upper rim, and the modeling of his chest, belly, and limbs.

Provenance
Jack Zimmerman, New York, 1960s/70s

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