
Jing Wen
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A BRASS PURBHA OF VAJRAKILA
TIBET, 14TH CENTURY
西藏 十四世紀 銅普巴金剛杵
The apex of this purbha depicts the meditational deity Vajrakila in his physically manifested form. In a clever twofold representation, he raises a miniature purbha, or a triple-edged stake, to his heart while transforming the lower part of his torso into the very object he holds in his principal pair of hands. Based on its modelling, this purbha would have either demarcated the sacred boundaries of a sculptural mandala or been placed within a shrine of worship.
Dated to the 14th century, but modelled in a different manner, is another brass purbha depicting Vajrakila as both a deity and ritual implement in the Tibet Museum – Fondation Alain Bordier in Gruyères, Switzerland (ABR 007).
Published:
Ramon Prats, et.al., Monasterios y lamas del Tibet, Madrid, Fundación "La Caixa", 2000, p.103, no.24.
Exhibited:
Monasterios y lamas del Tibet, Fundación "La Caixa", Madrid, November 2000-January 2001.
Provenance:
Spink & Son Ltd., London, 1990s