Gilt Copper Figure of Acala

Tibet, 15th – 16th century
Dimensions: 5” (12.8 cm) W

Standing in martial pose (alidhasana) to the right with right hand raising a vajra-hilted sword, the left hand raised in teaching gesture (vitarkamudra). Wearing an animal skin dhoti, armlets, necklaces and a large tiara some set with green stone cabochons, and large sashes and sacred scarves forming a mandorla. Set on an oblong flat base with two cast tangs. The stand 20th century in brass.

The heavy set of the body, wide yet benign face and the scarves forming the mandorla behind the head are strongly suggestive of an early dating for this figure of the vidhyaraja (guardian king of light) and dharmapala (guardian of the Buddhist Dharma) Acala / Achala. Compare with an un-gilt bronze figure of Achala, dated to 14th century with wider mandorla created by the sacred scarves, slightly larger at 6 ½ in. (16.5 cm.), with integral base of crushed figures on a lotus base, in Christie’s New York, sale 21SEP2021, Lot 401.

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6334294

西藏 銅鎏金不動明王像