Marici

CHINA; Qing dynasty

Marici is a protector of Buddhism and is represented in various ways. Here, the figure wears a high crown around an ornamented topknot. Buoyant ribbons dance from its round sidepieces. The upper body is adorned with jewelry and Marici wears a long embroidered skirt that aligns closely to the body. The figure sits in the relaxation posture on the back of a boar sow crouched on an oval lotus base, which gives the body a sinuous twist to one side. The right hand is held over the thigh in varada (wish-granting) mudra and the left hand once held a branch of the asoka tree, which is the protector’s attribute. According to the inscription engraved on the front of the pedestal, the image was made for the Third Tukwan, Lobzang Chokyi Nyima, of Youning Temple in Qinghai.