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A gilt-bronze figure of Chakrasamvara and Vajravahari 17th century image 1
A gilt-bronze figure of Chakrasamvara and Vajravahari 17th century image 2
A gilt-bronze figure of Chakrasamvara and Vajravahari 17th century image 3
Lot 298

A gilt-bronze figure of Chakrasamvara and Vajravahari
17th century

Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
4 December 2008, 12:00 HKT
Hong Kong, Six Pacific Place

HK$160,000 - HK$180,000

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A gilt-bronze figure of Chakrasamvara and Vajravahari

17th century
Portrayed in a yabyum embrace, the male figure with twelve arms holding various ritual implements and the feet of a flayed elephant skin draped across his back, with a garland of severed heads hanging from his waist, each of his four faces with a fierce countenance surmounted by a topknot incorporating a crescent moon and double vajras, the female figure holding a kapala and a kartrika in her hands, both figures wearing crowns of skulls and adorned with skull garlands, necklaces, chains and other jewelry, all supported on a lotus pedestal.
19cm (7 1/2in) high.

Footnotes

For another 17th century example in the Palace Museum, Beijing collection, see Lightness of Essence: Tibetan Buddhism Relics of the Palace Museum, Macao, 2003, no. 10, p. 51.

The coupling of male and female, symbolises complete enlightenment through the union of compassion and wisdom. Chakrasamvara is depicted in his four-headed, twelve-armed form. Each of his twelve hands holds a ritual object which symbolises the overcoming of various obstructions. The flayed elephant skin symbolises ignorance which he has vanquished. Vajravahari, Chakrasamvara's consort, is an important deity in her own right, who symbolises wisdom. In the present lot, both her legs are wrapped around Chakrasamvara's waist, and with his arms fanned out framing her figure, the image has a sense of balance and harmony echoing the symbolism of perfect union.

十七世紀 鎏金銅勝樂金剛雙修立像

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