A gilt bronze figure of Vajrabhairava - Second half of the 18th century

The ferocious conqueror of the Lord of Death depicted standing in pratyalidhasana on recumbent animals and deities over a lotus pedestal, with nine heads, the primary being that of a ferocious bull with bulging eyes, snarling mouth and flared nostrils, its horns reaching up on either side of two human heads encased in his red flaming hair, with seventeen pairs of arms holding various attributes and embracing its consort and eight pairs of legs, adorned with beaded ornaments and garlands of severed human heads. 16cm (6¼in) high. Sold for £4,800 plus Premium and tax

Provenance: Artemisia, 6 July 1999

Bonhams. Asian Art including Fine Bronzes, 26 Feb 2008. New Bond Street