A COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF HAYAGRIVA


TIBET, 15TH/16TH CENTURYHimalayan Art Resources item no.61662 17.5 cm (7 in.) high
|西藏 十五/十六世纪 馬頭明王銅像Hayagriva is an ancient Indic spirit-deity (yaksha) whose role undergoes a series of interpretations over two millenia. The form here represents a yidam known as "Secret Accomplishment Hayagriva". It is practiced in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. After receiving the practice from Padmasambhava in his dreams, Shangpa Kagyu Lama Kyergangpa (1154-1217) promulgated it throughout Tibet. The sculpture's tall skull crown and beaded swags follow a popular style developed in 15th century (cf. Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1981, p.437, nos.116C&D). ProvenanceHerbert Stone, Harlow, late 1960s