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The Primordial Buddha Vajradhara

15th century
Not on view
The Buddha Vajradhara is a divine manifestation of the totality of Buddhist teachings and is credited with being the source of the Buddhist tantric texts. Here, he holds a vajra and a bell that symbolizes energy (male) and emptiness (female). This sculpture is remarkable for the many surviving original inset pieces of turquoise and semiprecious stones and for the silver wire inlay in his dhoti (loincloth). These components indicate his divine status and evoke the crystalline nature of the heaven where he resides.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Primordial Buddha Vajradhara
  • Date: 15th century
  • Culture: Tibet
  • Medium: Gilt copper alloy with inlaid silver filaments, turquoise, and semiprecious stones
  • Dimensions: H. 18 in. (45.7 cm); W. 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm); D. 9 in. (22.9 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Bequest of W. Gedney Beatty, 1941
  • Object Number: 41.160.97a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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Sadaksari-Lokeshvara Surrounded by Manifestations and Monks, Distemper, gold and ink on cloth, Tibet
Sadaksari-Lokeshvara Surrounded by Manifestations and Monks
Tibet
late 15th century
Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi, Gilt bronze with inlaid turquoise, Tibet
Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi
Tibet
late 15th–16th century
Enthroned Amitayus, Bronze with silver and copper inlay, Tibet
Enthroned Amitayus
Tibet
early 15th century
Bodhisattva Manjushri, Gilt copper alloy, China
Bodhisattva Manjushri
China
Vajrabhairava, Black stone with traces of polychromy, Tibet
Vajrabhairava
Tibet
15th century

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