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This bronze shows a number of elements typical of objects from Kashmir, including a crown formed with three crescents, rosettes above the figure’s ear, sophisticated inlays (such as seen here in the dot or tuft of hair on the forehead [urna]), long garlands, and textile patterns on the clothing. Manjuvajra is an Esoteric form of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, Manjushri, and in his hands he holds objects typically held by that deity, including a sword for cutting through ignorance, a blue lily (utpala), and a bow and arrow. His two forward-most hands with wrists crossed perform a gesture representing the union of perfect wisdom and skillful means.
Guhyasamaja Manjuvajra
OriginKashmir or Himachal Pradesh, India
Date11th century
Dimensions8 3/4 × 5 × 2 in.
MediumLeaded copper-zinc-tin alloy with silver inlay
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art
Object numberC2004.14.3
Himalayan Art Resources Number65339
DescriptionThe art of Kashmir, in the northwest of India, has had a great influence on Tibetan Buddhist art, not only in terms of style but also for its development and depiction of early Esoteric, or Tantric, deities. Many of the earliest Himalayan bronzes depicting deities with multiple heads and limbs are from this region, as is this six-armed, three-headed image of the meditation deity Manjuvajra as described in the Secret Assembly (Guhyasamaja) Tantra.This bronze shows a number of elements typical of objects from Kashmir, including a crown formed with three crescents, rosettes above the figure’s ear, sophisticated inlays (such as seen here in the dot or tuft of hair on the forehead [urna]), long garlands, and textile patterns on the clothing. Manjuvajra is an Esoteric form of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, Manjushri, and in his hands he holds objects typically held by that deity, including a sword for cutting through ignorance, a blue lily (utpala), and a bow and arrow. His two forward-most hands with wrists crossed perform a gesture representing the union of perfect wisdom and skillful means.
11th century
14th century
15th century
ca. 17th century
19th century
Early 7th century
12th century
Sculpture: 1403-1424; Throne: ca. 13th century
mid-14th to mid-15th century
10th century
18th century