Manjusri
Tibet 15th Century
Bronze and Gilding with silver inlay
This Manjusri is typical of those images made in south-central
Tibet in the 15th Century. They are partly characterised by
high quality fire gilding, encrustations of semi precious
stones and modest, often downward-looking faces.
This lovely piece has all the these aspects. That the image
is still sealed and therefore blessed with a lovely engraved
vajra power bolt on its plate is an added bonus.
Of special note is the profuse silver inlay work to be seen
on the circular section of the crown, the pendant necklace
and the striations on the lower garment.
Manjusri is the deity whose nature is pure wisdom. This aspect
of him is shown in the two attributes of lotuses at his shoulders,
namely the sword and the Indian style book. The sword cleaves
ignorance away from the innate wisdom allowing wisdom to flourish.
