Tibet, Vajradhara (16)

14th-15th century, Tibet, Vajradhara, gilt copper alloy with cold gold and pigments, 13,2 cm, Auction 819 lot 25, 7th December 2023, Nagel

15th-16th century, Tibet, Tsang province, Vajradhara, brass with silver and copper-inlaid eyes, 20 cm, private collection, Images of Devotion lot 1840, 1st December 2023, Bonhams (Hong Kong).

Few figures from this corpus of brass works made in the Tsang province display such protruding scarf loops at elbow level. We saw another 15th-16th century Vajradhara wearing the same crown and jewellery design (Indian and Southeast Asian Art lot 101, 27th March 2003, Christie’s, photo on HAR ). He holds his attributes, a vajra sceptre and a vajra bell, against his heart.

15th century, Tibet, Vajradhara, gilt copper alloy with silver and stone inlay, 18,7 cm, same as before, lot 1842.

A rare Nepalese style Vajradhara whose long crown ribbons, with jewels at each end, gently flow over his shoulders. We saw a similar one (with a triple gem above the ear) on Sotheby’s  , and another on Bonhams, with bows above the ears.

16th-17th century, Tibet, Vajradhara, gilt copper alloy with silver and stone inlay, 24 cm, The Claude de Marteau Collection Part IV, lot 27, 6th October 2023, Bonhams (Hong Kong).

Alternatively, his crossed hands are empty and the attributes are placed on the lotuses by his sides.

17th century, Tibet, Vajradhara, gilt bronze with silver and stone inlay, 21 cm, private collection, Auction 8018 lot 417, 9th December 2011, Christie’s (London)