This Vajrapani bodhisattva, “bringing enlightenment,” standing upright in a frontal position, is a very popular figure of Tantric Buddhism. His emblem, which he holds in his right hand, the “diamond thunderbolt” (vajra), is a fundamental element present in most rituals of Lamaism. Elegantly resting on his right leg, his body has unrealistic proportions: the bust and the head are exaggerated in relation to the legs. Perhaps it is the desire to create an optical effect to correct the perspective, produced by a probable positioning of this piece on an altar placed high. The strong influence of Kashmir art is evident here in the ornamentation of the tiara, the shape of the jewels, the ribbons tied around the hips, the floral drapery leaving one knee uncovered, and the garlands of flowers. falling halfway up the legs, to which small stems attach them. The same goes for the eyes, painted in white, evoking the incrustations of silver of the works of these countries. Other details, however, such as the marked elongation of this body, the gesture, and some motifs of jewels, are of great originality and connect this sculpture to the art of Western Tibet. This mixture of foreign influences and strictly Tibetan elements is characteristic of the artistic productions of this country.
Fondue according to the technique of lost wax, this statue is essentially composed of brass, a material widely used in Tibet. This work was probably made in the 11th or 12th century, during a time when this prosperous region was ruled by monarchs who had close artistic and religious relations with Kashmir, a major centre of Buddhist culture in the Himalayas. They had made the protection of Lamaism one of the principal supports of their policy.
Text after N. Bazin and G. Béguin
Details
- Title : Vajrapani
- Year : 11th-12th century
- Classification : Sculpture
- Medium : Inlaid Brass and traces of Polychrom
- Dimension : H: 69.6 cm
- Accession No : MA 3546
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Collection : The Guimet Museum of Asian Art