NEPAL, XVIIEME SIECLE

This small though fine gilt-bronze figure represents the Buddhist goddess of wealth and prosperity, Vasudhara. She sits gracefully in lalitasana on a lotus base. Her six hands hold various attributes that link her to this role providing wealth and fecundity, as the gesture of charity and attributes the water-pot, gem and sheaf of grain show. The book in her upper left hand associates her with the abstract concept of knowledge and wisdom. Vasudhara is considered to be an emanation of Prajnaparamita, the goddess of wisdom.