19th Century Qing Dynasty Chinese Tibetan gilt bronze Bodhisattva Buddha figure of Vaishravana Riding a Lion, also known as Vaishravana. The chief among the protectors of the Teaching, Buddhist guardian and protector. This image in seated figure on a lion is the most common form found in art after the earliest Vaishravana form. Cast with vajra armor, ornate crown, a garland of jewel ornaments and the beautiful heavenly banner draped around the shoulder. Seated in royal ease position upon a resting lion, with lion head facing upward, open mouth, with bare fang and teeth, the tail erected giving a balance appearance. Set upon an oval lotus throne pedestal. Extensive trace of gilt, with red and deep-green pigments remain on the statue. The underside with incised quatrefoil flori-form petal visvavajra mark surrounding the centralized DaiJi. The Vaishravana, leader of the Yaksha race, is a worldly guardian worshipped as both a protector and benefactor. As the leader of the Four Direction Guardians, he at the head of the others, swore an oath of protection before the Buddha Shakyamuni. The stories and iconography of the Four Guardians arise primarily from the Mahayana sutras and are common to all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Dimensions: 11-1/8" H