Figure Item Number: 2663/61 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Brass image of a standing male figure (black Dzambhala) with lozenge-shaped headdress, holding a jewel-spouting mongoose in his right arm, and a scull cap in his left. He is standing on a recumbent male figure (the yellow lord of wealth). On a rectangular, hollow lotus base with a double row design on front, rough finishing on back, with wood insert inside bottom of base.
Iconographic Meaning
Statue of black Dzambhala, a Buddhist deity of wealth, trampling the yellow lord of wealth. Sometimes this Buddhist deity is equated with the Hindu deity Kubera.
Narrative
If the statue had been filled, which is normally the case, there should be an opening that had been sealed with a brass plate--which would mean the statue had been consecrated in the past and has precious objects inside. But it is possible this statue was emptied before it was collected, to sell the contents inside.
Item History
- Made in Tibet
- Collected before 1947
- Owned by Mary Noble before August 22, 2005
- Received from Mary Noble (Donor) on August 22, 2005
What
- Name
- Figure
- Identification Number
- 2663/61
- Type of Item
- figure
- Material
- brass metal and wood
- Overall
- height 16.3 cm, width 9.5 cm, depth 5.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Tibetan
- Previous Owner
- Mary Noble
- Received from
- Mary Noble (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Tibet
When
- Collection Date
- before 1947
- Ownership Date
- before August 22, 2005
- Acquisition Date
- on August 22, 2005
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 81
- Accession Number
- 2663/0061