Nepal, various bodhisattvas (2)

Circa 13th-14th century, Nepal or Tibet, bodhisattva, gilt copper repoussé part from a halo, 16 cm, private collection, Arts d’Asie lots 38 and 39, 12th June 2021, Cornette de Saint-Cyr on aaoarts.

15th-16th century, Nepal or Tibet, Seated Bodhisattva, gilt bronze, photo on Global Nepali Museum inventory nº TC-1 at the Tokyo National Museum (Japan).

17th century, Nepal, bodhisattva (labelled ‘Vajrapani with Candamaharoshana), gilt bronze with stone inlay, 19,5 cm, photo on wisdomlib, at the National Museum of Nepal in Kathmandu.

This male figure with a princely appearance holds the stem of a lotus with an upright vajra sceptre emerging from its centre (see close up on above link) and makes the fear-allaying gesture with the other. Peaceful Vajrapani normally has two eyes, the above has three, and when depicted in a standing posture he holds his attribute in one of his hands. This is perhaps a local variant? The yaksha attendant next to him is Achala/Chandamaharoshana wielding a sword in one hand and holding a noose in the other. We saw a 17th century standing bodhisattva with a yaksha attendant and a long-life vase between them on Sotheby’s

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