Yama Dharmaraja firgure from Tibet
Object No. 2014/132/24
Yama Dharmaraja was the Lord of Death in ancient Indian mythology but was adopted into the Buddhist pantheon as a Dharma (learning) protector. This fearsome god (known as the Outer or External form) is therefore one of the major protectors of Buddhist practice who confronts outer obstacles and protects practitioners (Sangha) from misfortune. The bull upon which he stands is ravaging the body of ignorant life beneath him. This figure forms part of the collection of Buddhist figures and ritual objects that were assembled by Alastair Morrison to represent the major deities and associated religious objects in the Buddhist pantheon. The pieces are mostly small in size, reflecting their original function as portable devotional images. The collection significantly enhances the museum's existing holdings of East, South and Southeast Asian material culture. The figures and objects, which are predominantly made from bronze and wood, reflect the high level of craft production in those regions and the importance of these objects as works of great spiritual significance. The production of these pieces, which spans a period of more than one thousand years, and has continued into the twentieth century, attests to the enduring nature of the spiritual ideas which these figures and emblems embody. Buddhism is one of the world's great religious traditions and is one of the fastest growing religions in Australia. Ref: The Art of Tibet, dr P. Pal, The Asia Society, 1969, no 72 for a very similar example. The Iconography of Tibetan Lamaism, Gordon, pg. 90-91. Treasures of Tibetan Art, Lipton & Ragnubs, pl.90-63, pg. 170.
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Summary
Object Statement
Figure, of Yama Dharmaraja, bronze, Tibet, 1700s
Physical Description
A Tibetan gilt-bronze figure, with stone inlays, of Yama Dharmaraja. He he has the head of a bull, flaming hair painted red, his arms outspread. He steps to the right on a bull which in turn is on top of a recumbent human figure. His missing consort would have been mounted in the small hole on the bull's back.
DIMENSIONS
Height
175 mm
Width
125 mm
Depth
65 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
An elaborate figure of Yama Dharmaraja, cast in bronze. The preferred mode for producing small statues in Tibet was the lost wax (cire perdue) method in which a detailed wax sculpture is formed over a core. When completed, the wax is covered with an outer mold, the wax is melted out and the metal poured into the mold. The arms, the stand and pedestal etc were made separately and fastened together with metal fixtures. This figure has beenn gilded and inset with stones and the hair has been painted red. The missing consort of Yama Dharmaraja would have been mounted in the small hole on the bull's back. Originally consecrated, the bronze has been opened and resealed. Tibet, 1700s.
HISTORY
Notes
A figure of Yama Dharmaraja, made as a portable devotional image. Tibet, 1700s. Purchased by the donor, Alastair Morrison, from Parkham Place Gallery, Sydney, May 2000.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Alastair Morrison, 2005
Acquisition Date
17 November 2014
Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.
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