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Statuette of Vajravarahi
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Statuette of Vajravarahi
CHINA; Qing dynasty (1644–1911), dated 1736–1795; Jade and bronze; H: 11 cm; Palace Museum, Beijing, China
This Vajravarahi figure has a copper mandorla with flames and delicately carved lines. The white jade Vajravarahi figure has a topknot and a copper crown with five skulls. Her eyebrows are long and slender, her eyes are wide open, and has a third eye in the middle of the forehead. Her mouth and nose are small and delicate, and both earlobes extend to the shoulders and are adorned with copper earrings.
Vajravarahi's body is bare, and her right hand is held up beside her head, making a fist. In her left hand, she holds a vajra up to the chest. She wears a bracelet with gemstones and a copper ornament with decorative designs around her slender waist. Both legs are bent and adorned with anklets. The dancing posture is elegant and graceful.
A silk stole fashioned from copper is wrapped around both shoulders and draped around the side of the body, following the curves with dynamic, flowing lines. The lotus base is made of copper. The figure, made from a combination of jade and copper, is delicate and ornate, and possesses strong characteristics of a Vajrayana Buddhist object. |
