A Tibetan bronze figure of Vajrapani with stand

The figure is cast standing in alidhasana, with his left hand holding the Vajra (thunderbolt) and his right the Ghanta (bell) a small head of Avalokitesvara (the bodhisattva of compassion). His two eyes are wide open in a piercing gaze. On his head he wears a five-petalled lotus hat which has a sun and moon symbolizing skillful means and wisdom, a Vajra top to symbolize unshakable samadhi, and a vulture's feather to represent the realization of the highest view.

Catalogue notes: Vajrapani is one of the earliest Dharmapalas and is also a tantric emanation of Padmasambhava. Though Dhamapalas have a terrifying appearance and countenance, they are all bodhisattvas or buddhas, meaning that they are embodiments of compassion that act in a wrathful way for the benefit of sentient beings. The lotus throne of the present lot shows Nepalese influences.