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A GROUP OF TWO COPPER ALLOY VAJRAS A GILT COPPER FIGURE OF INDRA
TIBET, CIRCA 13TH & 16TH CENTURIES NEPAL, 11TH/12TH CENTURY
Himalayan Art Resources item nos.61678 & 61679 Himalayan Art Resources item no.61632
15.5 cm (6 in.), 12.8 cm (5 in.) long 11.5 cm (4 1/2 in.) high
HK$35,000 - 45,000 HK$150,000 - 250,000
西藏 約十三與十六世紀 銅金剛杵兩支 尼泊爾 十一/十二世紀 銅鎏金因陀羅像
When wielded by Buddhism’s protectors, like Vajrapani, the vajra is a The ancient Vedic king of the gods and dispenser of rains is still
symbol of Buddhism’s indestructible might. The larger of these five- highly revered in Nepal today. Vajrapani is thought to stem from
pronged vajras features several faces around its grip which is currently Indra, adopting Indra’s weapon, the vajra. Indra was absorbed into
interpreted to originate from either Tibetan, Dali, or Tangut Buddhism Buddhism, personally converted by Shakyamuni in Trayastrimsha
(see HAR set no.2341). Also compare the angular prongs presented heaven, which Indra administrates, controlling one of the six realms
in the seven forms of Mahakala from Dali Kingdom Buddhist Scroll by of Buddhist rebirth. The deity can be recognized by his broad crown
Zhang Shengwen in the collection of the National Palace Museum, and posture, seated languidly in royal ease (rajasana), with his right
Taipei. hand casually resting on his knee. The sculpture has a distinctive
reddish brown patina, and is rubbed smooth from Nepalese devotional
Provenance practice. Compare with von Schroder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong
London Market, 1970/1980 Kong, 1981, p.325, no. 84E.
Provenance
John Barnett, London, 2002
THE PRESENCER COLLECTION OF BUDDHIST ART | 87
