Unusual Gilt Bronze Figure of the Mahasiddha Yogi Virupa

Tibeto-Chinese, 19th century
Dimensions: 6” (15 cm) H

Standing in Alidhasana to the right on a single lotus base, clad only in a tiger skin loin cloth, with a serpent necklace, bracelets, armlets and anklets, his large head with prodigious curly hair, the right hand raised and pointing in the standard iconography of the Mahasiddha, and the left lowered possibly originally grasping an object or emblem. Earrings with hardstone cabochons.The great teacher, Virupa / Virupaksa was a 7th – 8th century eastern Indian yogi and the source of a number of important teaching cycles of Tibetan Buddhism, largely held in the Sakya monastic tradition. His signature full head of curly hair is unmistakable, he is normally rotund but seated in a yoga position, always with right hand raised in a teaching mudra. It is quite rare to depict him standing although early images of the 13th and 14th century at times show him thus. This may be a syncretic form – perhaps connected with Mahakala, Acala or Vajrapani who normally assume this pose, a connection which is also suggested by the serpent necklace.

清 銅鎏金持法器大成立佛像