Southeast Asia, Thailand; Tibet, ca. 20th century CE. A beautiful pair of brass figures both elaborately adorned, enveloped in lustrous gold pigment, and seated on integral plinths. The larger depicts a Thai a prince or guardian known as a teppanom playing a phin lute, while dressed in regal attire with a towering headdress, eyes downcast as though in contemplation of the mystifying melodies he plays. Alternatively, the Tibetan sculpture portrays the bodhisattva Vajrasattva, holding the 2 most important ritual implements of Vajrayana Buddhism: the vajra in his right hand and a bell in his left. The vajra, a device for meditation and concentration, signifies male compassion, and the bell symbolizes female wisdom. When paired, they constitute the two elements essential to achieving salvation. Size of largest (figure with instrument): 7.7" W x 8.7" H (19.6 cm x 22.1 cm)

Note that Vajrasattva is wearing a tiara with five rising floral spokes; these represent the five Dyani Buddhas, and a seal is present on the base, indicating that this figure was consecrated and filled with holy articles.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Claire Bursky collection, Brooklyn, New York, USA, acquired in the 1970s

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#176355

Some minor abrasions in areas, but both are otherwise intact and excellent with nice remaining gold pigment and great preservation of detail.