The Dharmapāla Yamāntaka
Category
Art / Sculpture
Date
1900 - 1990
Materials
Copper or copper alloy
Measurements
128 x 90 x 50 mm
Order this imageCollection
2 Willow Road, London
NT 112567
Summary
A copper alloy figure of the Dharmapāla (wrathful god) Yamāntaka, depicted as a human figure with the head of an enraged buffalo, with two sharp horns, and wearing a necklace of serpents. He stands upon a water buffalo which in turn treads upon a recumbent human corpse. Mounted upon a base decorated with a frieze of lotus leaves. The underside of the base is sheet metal.
Full description
The Dharmapāla Yamāntaka is a violent aspect of the Bodhisattva Manjushri, the buddha of wisdom, who assumes this form in order to vanquish Yama, the god of death. By defeating Yama, the cycle of rebirths (samsara) that prevents enlightenment is broken. Despite his terrifying aspect, Yamantaka is a protective deity, popular amongst the Gelugpa sect of Tibet. Jeremy Warren (December 2017)
Provenance
Owned by Ernö Goldfinger and Ursula Ruth Blackwell, also known as Mrs Ernö Goldfinger. Purchased by the National Trust in 1994.
Credit line
National Trust Collections (2 Willow Road, The Ernő Goldfinger Collection)