ABS 179
Code: ABS 179
Country: Tibet
Style:
Date: 1550 - 1650
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 12.1 x 15.3 x 7.5
Materials: Gilt copper
Kapaladhara Hevajra embracing Nairatmya
Hevajra is one of the foremost meditational deities of Tibetan Buddhism, especially for the Kagyü and Sakya schools. He appears under his Kapaladhara aspect, “Holder of skull cups.” Tall and slender with a dark skin, adorned with the bone ornaments of the charnel grounds, he has eight faces and sixteen arms holding skull cups, his first pair embracing his consort. With four legs in the dancing posture, he stands on a lotus seat, trampling on the four demons. Facing him is his consort Nairatmya, standing in the dancing posture, embracing the deity.
Casting such a statue with multiple limbs with the plethora of details and the divine couple in embrace remains a technical challenge and testifies of the talent of the Tibetan artists.
Hevajra is one of the foremost meditational deities of Tibetan Buddhism, especially for the Kagyü and Sakya schools. He appears under his Kapaladhara aspect, “Holder of skull cups.” Tall and slender with a dark skin, adorned with the bone ornaments of the charnel grounds, he has eight faces and sixteen arms holding skull cups, his first pair embracing his consort. With four legs in the dancing posture, he stands on a lotus seat, trampling on the four demons. Facing him is his consort Nairatmya, standing in the dancing posture, embracing the deity.
Casting such a statue with multiple limbs with the plethora of details and the divine couple in embrace remains a technical challenge and testifies of the talent of the Tibetan artists.