TWO RARE TANTRIC BUDDHIST FIGURES ON HIGH PEDESTALS.
Origin: Khmer.Angkor Wat. Dynasty: Bayon period (1180-1230). Technique: Bronze with fine, somewhat shiny, light green patina, partly with lapis-lazuli blueAreas. EarthAdherence. Description: Each positioned in padmasana onA conical lotus base. Dressed inA finely pleated sampotAround the hipsAnd fitted with royal jewelry. The hair piled up inA pointed pattern isAdorned withA headband. The design of the faces with open eyesAnd full lips is characteristic of theAngkor-Wat period. The two-armed figure holdsA Gantha bellAndA conch shell in his raised hands, referring to the Vajrayana texts. The four-armed figure, whichAlso holdsAttributes likeA lotus stalk,A book,A conch shellAnd the Gantha bell, might beAvalokiteshvara.
Both figures haveA separate base into which theyAre inserted. These pedestals could indicate that they were once usedAs processional images, probably in tantric practice or for secret personal worship. Measurement: Each height figure 19.5cm, height base 17cm. ConditionA/B.
Inscriptions on stone steles describe the ruler Jayavarman IAsA committed follower of Buddhism, while Jayavarman VII,AlsoA member of the Mahidhara lineage, raised Mahayana Buddhism to the state religion. Supported by his Buddhist wife Jayarajdevi, he promoted the spiritual practices of Vajrayana.
Provenance: -Private collection, Northern Germany.Acquired locally in the middle of the 20th c.