Karamukha Samvara
Figure
18th century (made)
18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The tutelary protector Kharamukha Samvara, an unusual ass-headed form of Samvara associated with the highest level of tantric teachings, the Anuttara Yoga tantras. Such protectors (or Yidam) are chosen by Buddhist practitioners as embodiments of the enlightened state which is their goal. Each object held in the hands of the figure and of his consort (of which several are now missing) symbolically represents aspects and powers of enlightened wisdom. The lasso in his fifth left hand, for example, shows his ability to bind beings to wisdom from life to life.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Karamukha Samvara (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Cast brass, gilded and tinted |
| Brief description | Figure of Karamukha Samvara, brass, gilded and tinted, Chamdo, Eastern Tibet, 18th century. |
| Physical description | Figure of Karamukha Samvara of cast brass, gilded and tinted in colours. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by J.L. Smith, Esq. |
| Historical context | A tantric deity Samvara in an ass-headed form (Tib. Bde mchog bun zhal can), in sexual union (yab-yum) with his sakti (personification of his energy). Both figures are naked and bejewelled, and Samvara has necklaces of severed heads and skulls. He is twelve armed and is seen trampling on two prostate figures, probably Kalaratri (the personification of the "black night") and Bhairava. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The tutelary protector Kharamukha Samvara, an unusual ass-headed form of Samvara associated with the highest level of tantric teachings, the Anuttara Yoga tantras. Such protectors (or Yidam) are chosen by Buddhist practitioners as embodiments of the enlightened state which is their goal. Each object held in the hands of the figure and of his consort (of which several are now missing) symbolically represents aspects and powers of enlightened wisdom. The lasso in his fifth left hand, for example, shows his ability to bind beings to wisdom from life to life. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.107-1929 |
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| Record created | February 13, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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