Manjuvara with consort (yab-yum)

Description

This miniature stele shows Manjuvara, a form of the the Bodhisattva of Wisdom Manjushri, in union (yab yum) with his consort (sakti). The intimacy between the deities, in accordance with Vajrayana Buddhism, is symbolic of the union between wisdom and compassion that leads to the bliss of enlightenment. Both figures have three heads and six arms holding their attributes: a sword (khadga), a bow (dhanus), an arrow (bana), and a lotus (padma).

The sculpture is made in kaolinite, a clay-based stone frequently used in the northern regions of India and Burma. The exceptionally fine carving, executed with great precision and attention to detail, reflects the Pala style instrumental in the development of the Himalayan schools of sculpture.

Provenance

(Spink & Son, Ltd., London, England, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (?–1987); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1987–)

Manjuvara with consort (yab-yum)

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c. 1100s

Accession Number

1987.44

Medium

Kaolin

Dimensions

Overall: 7.3 x 4.7 x 2.5 cm (2 7/8 x 1 7/8 x 1 in.)

Classification

Sculpture

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Edwin R. and Harriet Pelton Perkins Memorial Fund