Tibet, Vajradhara (18)

14th century, Tibet, Nepalese schools, Vajradhara, gilt copper, 57 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 963 pl. 231E , at the Zhwa lu monastery (Shalu) in Tibet.

1425 AD, Central Tibet, Vajradhara, painted clay on a straw and wood armature, gilt copper crown and nimbus, 195 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 875 pl. 201A , at the gTsug Lhakhang of the Palkhor Chode monastery complex in Gyantse (Tibet).

This large image of Vajradhara is flanked by two standing attendants.

The male figure looks like Vajrapani but the author identifies him as Vajrasattva, who is normally seated and holding the vajra sceptre upright.

The female figure is ‘brDa snya ma’. She holds a skull cup and a flaying knife. (Compare with a painting of Vajradhara flanked by a male and a female standing figure, possibly Vajrapani and Ekajata, on HAR).

14th-15th century, Tibet or Nepal, Vajradhara, gilt bronze (with turquoise inlay), 44,1 cm, private collection, Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Works of Art lot 403, 22nd September 2021, Christie’s

15th century, Tibet, Vajradhara, gilt metal with turquoise inlay, size not given, private collection, photo on HAR

16th century, Tibet, Vajradhara, gilt metal (with stone inlay), size not given, private collection, photo 20446 on HAR

16th century, Tibet, Tsang province atelier, Vajradhara, metal (copper alloy with silver-inlaid eyes), size not given, private collection, photo on HAR

Almost identical to a plain copper alloy Vajradhara seen on  Sotheby’s, except for the necklace. Both are quite different from the many ‘Tsang province atelier’ statues seen previously: the metal is darker, the hair is more prominent, the face not as square, and the lotus base has broader and rounder petals. (see the page on Himalayan Art Resources for comparison).

15th or 16th century?, Central Tibet, Tsang province atelier?, (labelled ‘Nepal, 16th-17th century), Vajradhara, bronze, 19, 8 cm, private collection, Arts d’Asie lot 68, 23rd November 2004, Christie’s (Paris)

17th century, Tibet, Vajradhara, gilt metal, size not given, collection Christie’s New York, September 2021 (nowhere to be found on Christie’s ), photo on HAR

Undated, Tibet, Vajradhara, bronze (with gilding, stone inlay, pigment), size not given, photo on HAR, at the Tibet House Museum in New Delhi (India).

When Vajradhara’s hands are empty his attributes are placed on lotuses next to him, with the vajra sceptre (missing here) on his right and the bell on his left.

18th century, Tibet?, Vajradhara, bronze, 16 cm, photo on wisdomlib, Northern Himalayan Gallery, at the National Museum of Nepal.

18th century (or earlier?), Tibet, Maitreya, (Vajradhara), gilt bronze with turquoise inlay, 9,5 cm, private collection, Arts d’Asie lot 134, 7th December 2023, Delon Hoebanx (Paris).