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The Bonpo deity Kunzang Galwa Dupa
The Bonpo deity Kunzang Galwa Dupa

The Bonpo deity Kunzang Galwa Dupa

Place of OriginWestern Tibet
Dateapprox. 1300
MaterialsBronze with inlaid silver
DimensionsH. 13 1/8 in x W. 8 in x D. 3 3/4 in, H. 33.4 cm x W. 20.4 cm x D. 9.5 cm
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object numberB84B1
DepartmentHimalayan Art
ClassificationsSculpture
On View
On view
LocationGallery 12
More Information
Kunzang Galwa Dupa, the principal deity in the indigenous Bon religion of Tibet, has five heads and ten hands. The hands in front of his chest hold sun and moon discs inscribed with the Tibetan letters A and Ma; these symbols help us to recognize this image as Bon rather than Buddhist. Kunzang Galwa Dupa also holds the swastika, the Bon equivalent of the Buddhist ritual object (vajra) or thunderbolt.
Subject
  • bodhisattva
  • throne
  • lion
  • horse
  • elephant
  • peacock
  • dragon