Gilded bronze figure ‘Wrathful Deity’, 18th-19th century

Figure in gilded and polychrome bronze. It shows an anthropomorphic deity, with the face of a bull and a human body, standing on a lotiform throne on which a buffalo is lying on the prone body of a man, holding it with both hands. The deity rides on both beings in alidhasana, with one knee bent and the opposite knee stretched out, balancing himself with outstretched arms in vitarkamudra. The body is covered with pendants and small beaded jewellery, and surrounded by a long waving ribbon. The expression is choleric, with large eyes and gaping jaws showing sharp fangs. The head is crowned with a diadem of skulls and two large horns, which are set in a flaming reddish hair.

Height: 15.5 cm

Weight: 998 g

Provenance:

-Christie 's. Chinese ceramics, works of art and textiles. Lot 349: A gilt bronze figure of a warthful deity. 12 May 2017.

- Now in a private European collection.