A COPPER ALLOY REPOUSSE PLAQUE OF A 'PANCHA RAKSHA' PROTECTOR GODDESS Tibet, 18^th-19^th century or slightly earlier. Seated in lalitasana atop a double lotus base with beaded upper edge, the right foot on a small lotus support. Her main left hand holds the dharmachakra at her chest and her main right grasps her billowing scarf, the other six hands radiating around her held in karana mudra and holding a sword, bow, arrow, trident, vajra, and axe. Her face with almond-shaped eyes, thick brows, urna, and full lips, flanked by three further heads. Backed by a flaming mandorla. The reverse neatly incised with a short inscription.

Inscriptions: To reverse, 'Khung Nak la Namo' ('Greetings to Khung Nak')

Provenance: From a private collection in southern Germany, acquired before 2007, and thence by descent.
Condition: Very good condition with minor old wear, minuscule nicks, light scratches, small dents.

Weight: 268.0 g
Dimensions: Height 15.3 cm

The Pancha Raksha, or five protector goddesses, are a group of female deities who are personifications of five early Buddhist sutras, the oldest of which dates to the 4th century. Principle among the five deities are Maha Pratisara, Maha Sahasrapramardini, Maya Mayuri, Shitavati and Mantra Manudharani. Each has specific functions directed towards accomplishing worldly welfare and happiness, preventing and surviving natural disasters, curing snakebites, overcoming fear, and averting pestilence and epidemics.

The iconography for the Pancha Raksha varies with local practice, and each can differ in color, attributes, and number of faces and arms, making it difficult to identify any representation of these deities with a particular sutra.



鎏金銅錘鍱五部護法
西藏，十八至十九世紀或更早。五部護法呈游戲姿坐於雙層蓮座上，左腳踩在一個小蓮台上。左主手在胸前握住法輪，右手握住飄帶，其他六隻手分別持不同法器，如劍、弓、箭、三叉戟、金剛杵和斧頭。細眉長目，雙眉之間有白毫，旁邊還有三首，後有光背，背面有款。

款識：Khung Nak la Namo（向Khung Nak問好）

來源：德國南部私人收藏，購於2007年，保存至今。
品相：品相極好，輕微磨損，微小的劃痕和小凹痕。

重量：268.0 克
尺寸：高15.3 厘米