Vajrapani; Tibet, 19th century. Gilt bronze and polychrome. It presents faults in the polychromy.

Vajrapani; Tibet, 19th century.
Gilded and polychromed bronze.
The polychromy is missing.
The original base is missing.
Measurements: 12.5 x 10.5 x 7.5 cm; 17 x 10 x 7 x 7 cm (base).
Vajra is one of the first bodhisattvas to appear in Mahayana Buddhism. He is the protector and guide of Gautama Buddha and was raised to symbolise the Buddha's power. Vajrap?ni is also called Chana Dorji and Chador and is widely depicted in Buddhist iconography as one of the first three protector deities or bodhisattvas surrounding the Buddha. Each of them symbolises one of the Buddha's virtues: Manyushri manifests all the wisdom of the Buddhas, Avalokite?vara manifests the immense compassion of all the Buddhas, and Vajrap?ni protects the Buddha and manifests all the power of the Buddhas, as well as the power of the five tath?gatas. He is worshipped in Shaolin Monastery, in Tibetan Buddhism and in Pure Land Buddhism (where he is known as Mahasthamaprapta and forms a triad with Amit?bha and Avalokite?vara). Manifestations of Vajrap?ni can also be found in many Buddhist temples in China, Taiwan and Japan as Dharma protectors guarding the gates of monasteries and temples. Vajrap?ni is also associated with Acala, where he is serenaded as a vajra holder.