STATUETTE D'UN GÉNÉRAL YAKSHA EN ALLIAGE DE CUIVRE DORÉ DYNASTIE QING, XVIIIE SIÈCLE

STATUETTE D'UN GÉNÉRAL YAKSHA EN ALLIAGE DE CUIVRE DORÉ
DYNASTIE QING, XVIIIE SIÈCLEHimalayan Art Resources item no. 4622 13.5 cm (5 1/4 in.) high

A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF A YAKSHA GENERALQING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY清 十八世紀 銅鎏金藥叉大將像Provenance: With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970sThe Twelve Yaksha Generals are retinue figures associated with the mandala of Bhaisajyaguru, the Medicine Buddha. Each of the generals characteristically holds a mongoose in his left hand along with various accompanying implements. Sculptural sets, such as these have largely dispersed, making iconographical delineations challenging, and as these yaksha generals share similar characteristics with both Vaishravana and Jambhala, they can be easily misidentified. This broad shouldered and large bellied guardian sits in a relaxed pose with an alert gaze. The modelling, strong countenance, and jewelry correspond to a figure bearing an inscription which denotes its number within a set, stating, "The Blue g.Yo-hdzin. West. No. 38" (von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, 1981, p. 454, no. 125B). Both wear a soft sash loosely tied horizontally across the chest half concealing a beaded necklace below. In both cases, the guardians share a similar seated posture, and their arm gestures suggest a staff was set diagonally across their bodies. The example in von Schroeder shows two flanking retinue figures on either side of the Yaksha, offering a visual reference for sculptural arrangements of this kind. Based on the similarity of the crown details between the Yaksha here and a figure of Virupaksha from the Essen collection (HAR 3314890), it is likely these figures relate to the same sculptural group. Another similar Yaksha General figure is in the collection of the Tibet House Museum in New Delhi (HAR 71845).