{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O24884"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O24884/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AH0218/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AH0218/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AH0218","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KX5093","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O24884/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O24884","accessionNumber":"IM.197-1937","objectType":"Figure","titles":[{"title":"Vasya Vajravarahi","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"Vasya Vajravarahi ('Diamond Sow') represents wisdom and emptiness. Her symbol, the boar's head emerging from her skull, represents the delusion of ignorance that must be overcome in tantric practice. Her name itself signifies the Varahi or female aspect of the boar manifestation of Visnu, Varaha, of Vajrayana Buddhism. She is a form of <i>dakini</i>, goddesses who 'walk in the sky',  and ultimately represents inner space. Such figures appear to inspire, instruct and initiate human practitioners.","physicalDescription":"Figure of Vasya Vajravarahi, cast bronze.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"bronze","id":"AAT10957"}],"techniques":[{"text":"cast","id":"x32615"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Cast bronze","categories":[{"text":"Buddhism","id":"THES48984"},{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2006AH0218","2018KX5093"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"47A (VA)","id":"THES49797"},"free":"","case":"CA013","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Sculpture","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Tibet","id":"x29910"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"16th century","earliest":"1500-01-01","latest":"1600-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Bequeathed by W.C.H. Shannon, RA","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"23","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"12","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"This wild goddess is identified as the Varahi (female aspect of the boar manifestation of Vishnu, Varaha) of the vajra sect, that is, of Vajrayana or Mahayana Buddhism.  Her sow character is seen in the pig's head which issues from her right ear.  In Tibet she is represented as a dakini, a cruel form of sakti, and when wielding the vajrakartr, the saw  knife surmounted with a vajra (dorge), is known as Vasya-Vajravarahi.  She dances on a corpse, carries a skull-cup (kapala) and is garlanded with severed heads.","briefDescription":"Figure of Vasya Vajravarahi, cast bronze, Tibet, 16th century.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"Tibetan art / John Lowry. London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1973","id":"AUTH344050"},"details":"p. 25, pl. 7","free":""}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Buddhist","id":"AAT73738"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Vasya Vajravarahi\r\n1500–1600\r\nVasya Vajravarahi (‘Diamond Sow’) is a female Buddha\r\nwho embodies wisdom and emptiness. Her Tibetan name\r\nKhadroma means ‘sky walker’, referring to inner spiritual\r\nspace. The boar’s head emerging from her head represents\r\nthe delusion of ignorance that must be overcome in tantric\r\npractice. These figures inspire, instruct and initiate Buddhist\r\npractitioners.\r\nBronze\r\nTibet\r\nBequeathed by W.C.H. Shannon\r\nMuseum no. IM.197-1937","date":{"text":"14/06/2011","earliest":"2011-06-14","latest":"2011-06-14"}}],"partNumbers":["IM.197-1937"],"accessionNumberNum":"197","accessionNumberPrefix":"IM","accessionYear":1937,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2020MP2004"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-05-20","recordCreationDate":"2000-02-13","availableToBook":false}}