Religious Figure / Mandarava

Small bronze statue of Mandarava, the consort of Padma Sambhava. She sits in the pose of royal ease on a double lotus pedestal. She was born a princess in 8th century India, but renounced her life to follow the Buddhist teachings or Dharma and became a great teacher in her own right. She wears the crown and ornaments of the Bodhisattva, wears flowing robes and has the third eye of wisdom. In her left hand she holds a skull cup, while her right hand is in the teaching mudra. There are two lugs at the back of the statue that suggests this figure was part of a larger composition. The base is sealed and contents appear to be in place. There are the remnants of a wax seal covering the edge of the base.