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Four-Headed Vairocana
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Four-Headed Vairocana
CHINA; Ming dynasty (1368–1644); Gilt copper alloy; H: 26 cm; Capital Museum, Beijing, China
This sculpture, with four heads, was a popular figure of offering in western Tibet during earlier times and used for purificatory practices to assure a favorable rebirth. The heads, wearing decorative crowns and earrings studded with turquoises, gaze down with compassion. The bare upper body is ornamented with jewels and draped with a stole that flows over both arms to the skirted under-robe. The Buddha sits in full lotus position with hands in dhyana (meditation) mudra upon a double lotus pedestal. A Tibetan inscription is on the bottom rim of the pedestal. |
