Mandala. At the centre, a tutelary deity, Yi-dam, of buddha rank, locked in embrace with his prajna, or wisdom party. Twenty lesser divinities surround them, two or three on each petal, before circular drums or altars.
The petals are incised outside with deities and emblems, including a horse, elephant, wheel, censer, ewer, staff, parasols, ribbon, canopies and jewels. Made of gilt bronze; cast as an articulated pomegranate
Resembling the eastern Indian bronze lotus ‘maṇḍala’, this Chinese Tibetan version is cast as an articulated pomegranate. At the centre is a tutelary deity, Yi-dam, of Buddha rank locked in embrace with his ‘prajñā’, or wisdom partner. Twenty lesser divinities surround them, two or three on each petal, before circular drums or altars. The petals are incised outside with deities and emblems, including a horse, elephant, wheel, censer, ewer, staff, parasols, ribbon, canopies and jewels
China? 17thC-18thC
- Height: 25.6 centimetres (Open)
- Diameter: 22 centimetres (Open)
- Height: 24.5 centimetres (Closed)
- Diameter: 13 centimetres (Closed)
- Weight: 1.9 kilograms
This is a Chinese Tibetan version of the earlier type of eastern Indian bronze mandala. For a 12th century example, see 1982. 8-4. 1 (1982. 8-4. 1 eastern Indian. A lotus mandala cast in bronze, with a figure of Aksobhya. right) on display in the Eastern India Buddhist sculpture case in the Hotung Gallery.Zwalf 1985
With thanks © Trustees of the British Museum
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