Vajravarahi – The “Diamond Sow”
  See it in the Museum
Chapel
Orientation 4
Display 9

ABS 253

 Code: ABS 253

  Country: Tibet (central)

  Style:

  Date: 1400 - 1500

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 17 x 36.5 x 8.5

  Materials: Gilt copper

Hollow cast in two parts. Inset with turquoise, coral, and one pearl.
Sealed at the back.

The three-eyed goddess, identified as Vajravarahi (Tib.: rDo rje phag mo), often also named Vajrayogini (Tib.: rDo rje rnal ’byor ma), dances with her left foot (pratyali ha) on a corpse lying on a double lotus pedestal with beaded borders. Vajravarahi is named after the excrescence in the shape of a sow’s head behind her right ear.

Béguin, Gilles, 2013. Art sacré du Tibet – Collection Alain Bordier, [catalogue of the exhibition held at the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent; 14 mars au 21 juillet 2013]. Paris: Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent. Editions Findakli. Pp. 148 - 151

Sèngué, Tcheuky, 2002. Petite Encyclopédie des Divinités et symboles du Bouddhisme Tibétain. Editions Claire Lumiere .