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Gilt Copper Mongoose
Tibet
circa 18th century
length: 14.5cm, height: 6.5cm
This hollow image of a snarling mongoose (ne'u le) is made from hand beaten gilded copper. It is depicted crouched, with whiskers, a bulbous forehead, a
thin rat-like tail, and with markings engraved to the sides and along the spine to depict fur. The mouth is open and cut with a row of razor teeth.
The mongoose is almost certainly from a larger image of Vaishravana, the Tibetan god of wealth. Normally Vaishravana is shown with such a mongoose on his
lap regurgitating jewels from its mouth. The mongoose emits the jewels when he is squeezed which accounts for the slightly narrow or squeezed body shape of
this image.
Vaishravana shares many characteristics of the Himalayan Hindu deity Kubera also known as Jambhala. He is considered a worldly Dharmapala or protector of
the Dharma, and is a member of the retinue of Ratnasambhava. He is also one of the four lokapalas - the protectors of the four quarters of the Universe - he
is the guardian of the North and is often depicted on temple murals outside the main door. Like Kubera, he is also considered to be the god of wealth.
References: A smaller gilt bronze figure of a mongoose attributed to 16th-17th century Tibet was offered by Christie's New York as lot 136 in its 'Indian and
Southeast Asian Art' sale, September 20, 2006.
Inventory no.: 879
This Item is available - Ask about this item
Gilt Copper Mongoose
Tibet
circa 18th century
length: 14.5cm, height: 6.5cm
This hollow image of a snarling mongoose (ne'u le) is made from hand beaten gilded copper. It is depicted crouched, with whiskers, a bulbous forehead, a
thin rat-like tail, and with markings engraved to the sides and along the spine to depict fur. The mouth is open and cut with a row of razor teeth.
The mongoose is almost certainly from a larger image of Vaishravana, the Tibetan god of wealth. Normally Vaishravana is shown with such a mongoose on his
lap regurgitating jewels from its mouth. The mongoose emits the jewels when he is squeezed which accounts for the slightly narrow or squeezed body shape of
this image.
Vaishravana shares many characteristics of the Himalayan Hindu deity Kubera also known as Jambhala. He is considered a worldly Dharmapala or protector of
the Dharma, and is a member of the retinue of Ratnasambhava. He is also one of the four lokapalas - the protectors of the four quarters of the Universe - he
is the guardian of the North and is often depicted on temple murals outside the main door. Like Kubera, he is also considered to be the god of wealth.
References: A smaller gilt bronze figure of a mongoose attributed to 16th-17th century Tibet was offered by Christie's New York as lot 136 in its 'Indian and
Southeast Asian Art' sale, September 20, 2006.
Inventory no.: 879
This Item is available - Ask about this item
