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A large gilt bronze figure of a Bodhisattva, 13th/14th century, Tibet
This headless figure is seated in vajrasana - the lotus position - with the hands in a
loose version of dharmachakra mudra, the gesture of teaching. The naked torso sways
sensuously but retains a powerful physique; the chest is adorned with necklaces, the
upper arms with elaborated floral bands, the wrists with beaded bracelets and one of
the fingers on each hand bears a large ring. The scale of this figure means that the
piece had to be cast in two parts; these are joined at the waist - the joint disguised
by a belt.
The figure's lower half is clothed in a dhoti that clings to the well formed legs and
collects in folds on the ground in front. Beaded and bejewelled ornaments decorate the
dhoti and the ankles. The exposed feet are upturned - the toes modelled with great
energy - and each sole carries an image of the dharmachakra or 'wheel of law'. The
sculpture as a whole emits a vitality and intensity characteristic of its early date.
Height: 48 cm
Similar example: 'Indo-Tibetan Bronzes' Ulrich Von Schroeder, Visual Dharma
Publications Ltd., Hong Kong, 1981 - page 429, figure 112F.
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