TIBET, XVIEME SIECLE

This rare bronze presents gTsang smyon Heruka or the ‘Madman of Tsang’ as he was also known. Although ordained as Sang gye Gyaltsen he never entered a monastery to become a monk. He devoted his life to tantric practices and followed the way of living of the early Kagyu pa masters. He wandered from place to place, had many pupils and was a prolific author including biographies of Milarepa and Marpa. The bronze figure shows him wearing bone ornaments, holding the diamond sceptre and the skull-cup, attributes linked to tantric practice. The swollen belly suggests his mastery over his breath known as a yogi’s inner heat (Tib. gtum mo). His hair is worn in a topknot like that of a mahasiddha.