A Gilt-Bronze Group of A Heruka and Consort | Tibet, 18th Century

Project Description

Description: Bronze, 11.7 cm high
Catalogue note: This wrathful male blood-drinker or heruka holds a curved-knife and skull cup around the body of his female consort. Together, they are meditational deities of the highest yoga tantra. The avian imagery common to Heruka figures of the Nyingma tradition like this has roots in Bon, the indigenous religion of Tibet. Himalayan Art Resources (himalayanart.org), item no. 24507.
Provenance: Acquired from Christie’s, Sale 17347, Lot 668, Invoice no. DB19005296.
Catalogue no.: 2019A0190