ABS 152
Code: ABS 152
Country: Nepal (west)
Style: Khasha Malla
Date: 1250 - 1350
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 9.2 x 12.2 x 5.1
Materials: Gilt copper
Wrathful Vajrapani or Nila Vajravidarana
This wrathful deity is stepping out to the right in the warrior stance, trampling on a corpse laid upon a double lotus pedestal. The corpse represents an inner demon that he has overcome. He brandishes a five-pronged vajra sceptre in the right uplifted hand and holds a bell in the left. He is adorned with the macabre ornaments of the charnel grounds: dried skull tiara, flayed skin loincloth, poisonous snake jewellery, and severed human heads on a string.
This gilded copper image was presumably cast by a Newari artist for Kasha Malla patrons of Western Nepal. Many of the statues attributed to this kingdom have distinct lotus pedestals.
Based on its iconography, this statue could either represent a wrathful aspect of Vajrapani, “The Vajra Bearer,” bodhisattva of enlightened energy, or of Nila Vajravidarana, “The Blue Vajra Subjugator,” a purification deity connected to Vajrapani. A painting of this deity is visible in the Emporium (ABP 040). The collection possesses other examples of wrathful Vajrapani (ABS 070, ABS 197), as well as peaceful manifestations (ABS 267, ABS 001).
This wrathful deity is stepping out to the right in the warrior stance, trampling on a corpse laid upon a double lotus pedestal. The corpse represents an inner demon that he has overcome. He brandishes a five-pronged vajra sceptre in the right uplifted hand and holds a bell in the left. He is adorned with the macabre ornaments of the charnel grounds: dried skull tiara, flayed skin loincloth, poisonous snake jewellery, and severed human heads on a string.
This gilded copper image was presumably cast by a Newari artist for Kasha Malla patrons of Western Nepal. Many of the statues attributed to this kingdom have distinct lotus pedestals.
Based on its iconography, this statue could either represent a wrathful aspect of Vajrapani, “The Vajra Bearer,” bodhisattva of enlightened energy, or of Nila Vajravidarana, “The Blue Vajra Subjugator,” a purification deity connected to Vajrapani. A painting of this deity is visible in the Emporium (ABP 040). The collection possesses other examples of wrathful Vajrapani (ABS 070, ABS 197), as well as peaceful manifestations (ABS 267, ABS 001).