A COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF VAJRAPANI Tibet, 17^th-18^th century. Well cast, the fierce protector of Buddhism and its flock looms with a large belly and fierce snarl, striding in alidhasana on two prostrate figures atop a lotus base under a flaming mandorla, his raised right hand holding a vajra and his lowered left a ghanta with vajra handle, dressed in a tiger skin draped over his back and adorned with beaded jewelry, a coiled snake, and a garland of freshly severed heads, with an elephant head and another human head hanging from his right shoulder.

Provenance: Old Viennese private collection, built over several generations between 1910 and 1975, thence by descent in the same family.
Condition: In good condition with old wear and some casting flaws, minor nicks, dents and losses, light scratches, some of the inlaid stones are later replacements. The inlay to the right earring is original and made from glass paste in imitation of turquoise. The back with a sacred rectangular cavity, sealed with an old metal plate and associated soldering. Fine natural patina overall with an even, copper-brown tone.

Weight: 743.6 g
Dimensions: Height 17.1 cm

His wrathful face with large bulging eyes below furrowed brows centered by an urna, his flaming hair secured by a skull tiara. The sealed base with a punched double vajra design.

Literature comparison:
Compare a related Tibetan copper alloy figure of Vajrapani, dated 18^th century, 30.5 cm, with gilding and stone inlay, in the collection of the Rubin Museum, object number C2002.17.2.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 3 October 2017, lot 27
Price: HKD 1,250,000 or approx. EUR 162,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A copper alloy figure of Vajrapani, Tibet, 17^th/18^th century
Expert remark: Compare the lotus base and flaming mandorla as well as Vajrapani's expression and pose. Note the significantly larger size of 46 cm.


西藏，十七至十八世紀。金剛手菩薩雙目圓睜，雙眉之間有白毫，蓄短鬚，忿怒相，袒胸露腹，頭戴骷髏花冠，火焰狀的赤飄揚於頭頂，左手持金剛鈴，右手高舉金剛杵，下身著虎皮裙，左展姿立於蓮座之上。後有光背。

來源：維也納私人老收藏，在1910 年與1975年期間，經過幾代人的共同努力建立，在同一家族保存至今。
品相：品相良好，有磨損和一些鑄造缺陷，輕微的刻痕和凹痕，一些鑲嵌的石頭是後來的替代品。 右耳環的鑲嵌物是原始的，是仿綠松石玻璃製成。背面有一個矩形舊金屬板和相應焊接密封。 整體包漿細膩，具有均勻的銅棕色色調。

重量：743.6 克
尺寸：高17.1 厘米

底部封底，可見雙金剛杵印。

文獻比較：
比較一件相近的18世紀西藏銅合金金剛手菩薩，30.5 厘米，鎏金和鑲石，見Rubin Museum, 藏品編號C2002.17.2。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港邦翰思,2017年10月3日, lot 27
價格：HKD 1,250,000 （相當於今日EUR 162,000）
描述：十七或十八世紀金鋼手菩薩銅像
專家評論：比較蓮座、背光上的火焰，以及金剛手菩薩的表情和姿勢。請注意尺寸較大（46 厘米）。