Potala Palace: Vajravarahi

CHINA, Tibet, Lhasa

This 15th century sculpture of Vajravarahi wears an ornate gem-studded crown over upswept hair that spills onto her shoulders. The face, which has a third wisdom eye and lips pursed in wrath, grows a characteristic pig’s head from the right side. Gemmed ribbons ripple about the figure from the crown, enclosing tassels that swing out from the beaded skirt as she dances energetically upon the male demon crushed beneath the left foot. The skull garland draped about the neck contributes to the rhythmic composition. A lotus branch extends from the pedestal to support the raised right leg. The full breasted Vajravarahi holds a curved knife aloft in the right hand while cupping a skull bowl in the other. The double lotus pedestal, which is larger at the base, is a sculptural feature of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).