Gilt bronze figure of Vajrayogini from 14th-15th century Tibet

A Densatil gilt bronze figure of Vajrayogini, Tibet, 14th-15th…
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A Densatil gilt bronze figure of Vajrayogini, Tibet, 14th-15th century, meticulously crafted, she holds a chopper in her right hand and a skullcup in her left. She wears a beaded and festooned apron, multiple necklaces, armbands, and bracelets adorned with hardstones. Her face features expressively delineated brows and a third eye. Her billowing sash forms a mandorla. Based on the research by Jean-Luc Estournel in his article 'About the 18 stupas and other treasures once at the Densatil monastery,' it is possible that the figure belongs to Abbot 9 / Stupa 9 / Tashi Gomang 3: Dragpa Sherab (Grags pa shes rab) (1310-1370). The similarities in patterns and visual representation support this attribution. (Fig. 114-117). Another very similar example can be found in this article (Fig. 225). Https://asianart.com/articles/densatil/index.html, for similar examples sold in auctions, a rare and important gilt bronze statue of Buddhakapala and Citrasena, Christie's Paris, 11 June 2008, Art d'Asie, lot 195, sold for 204,500 Eur. A gilt copper alloy figure of Vajravahari, Densatil monastery, Tibet, 15th century, Sotheby's Paris, 15 June 2023, 15 June 2023, lot 174, sold for 82,550 Eur, 27.5 cm high

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  • Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.

    The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.

    It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture.
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