Chinese Gilt Bronze Vajrabhairava, 18-19th Century

A small Chinese gilt and painted bronze statue of Vajrabhairava with consort Vetali dating from the 18th or 19th century. He stands with his sixteen legs in alidhasana or battle stance on an assortment of trampled deities lying upon a single lotus pedestal. A bird perches near his left feet on the pedestal. He holds a skull cap and a flaying knife in two of his hands while supporting his consort, who holds the same implements. The rest of his 34 arms fan out around him on either side in various mudra. Vajrabhairava himself has nine faces in a circular arrangement, the largest of which is a buffalo's head. Flames frame his head, and an elephant skin stretches across his back.

Dimensions are: 4 1/2 inches tall X 2 7/8 inches wide, 11.4 cm X 7.3 cm. Weight: 500 grams. All measurements are approximate.

Condition: The groups of arms have been reattached. Age appropriate wear including paint and gilt wear.

Provenance: From a private New York City collection. Purchased from the Baltimore, Maryland Antique Show.

High resolution images can be found here.