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Tapestry of Yamantaka Mandala
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Tapestry of Yamantaka Mandala
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Tapestry of Yamantaka Mandala
CHINA; Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), dated 1330–1332; Commssioned by Jayaatu Khan and Khutughtu Khan; Silk; 2.5 x 2.1 m; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
From the inscriptions, it is known that the patrons in the bottom left corner are Jayaatu Khan (reigned 1329-1332) and Khutughtu Khan (reigned 1329), while their wives, empresses Buddhasri and Babusha, are depicted in the bottom right corner. The inclusion of the images of Yuan dynasty royalty in a tapestry mandala is rare.
The mandala is in the form of square inside a circle. In the center of the square, there is a circle divided into nine sections. The main deity is Yamantaka, who appears in the form of a wrathful buffalo-headed figure with a dark blue body and multiple arms. He has four feet and tramples on demons. In each of the remaining eight sections, there is a two-armed Yamantaka. Images of Yamantaka also form the border of the square outside the circle. This is the largest of several similar well-preserved works. |
