Artwork preview

Vajrabhairava with His Consort Vajravetali

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The image shows a bronze statue of Vajrabhairava with His Consort Vajravetali. The statue depicts a wrathful deity with a large head, protruding teeth and tongue, and bulging eyes. The figure has 2 main arms and 16 smaller arms extending from the sides. The main arms hold various items; the main right hand holds an item close to the chest and the main left hand holds a curved knife. The figure wears a crown on its head and a necklace around its neck. The figure stands on 2 bodies with one leg, bent at the knee. The figure is accompanied by a smaller female figure to the right. The base of the statue is round with a decorative edge. The statue appears to be made of bronze or copper with a dark brown patina and gold accents. The background is a gradient from dark gray at the top to light gray at the bottom.

Artwork details

Date:
18th–19th century
Medium:
Tung oil stucco, wood, gold, cinnabar, and other pigments
Culture:
Mongolia
Dimensions:
600 × 455 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette