{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O76027"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O76027/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2009CB5334/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2009CB5334/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2009CB5334","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2009CB5335","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2009CB5333","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2009CB5332","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2009CB5331","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2009CB5330","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2009CB5329","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AH0361","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O76027/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O76027","accessionNumber":"IM.61-1929","objectType":"Figure","titles":[{"title":"Ghantapada","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"This piece shows the Mahasiddha Ghantapa and consort. Mahasiddhas (‘great accomplished ones’) were tantric adepts who lived in India between the 6th and 11th centuries. A group of 84 Mahasiddhas are revered throughout the Tibetan Buddhist world as enlightened beings. Ghantapa, whose name means ‘bearer of the bell’ or <i>ghanta</i>, lived in north-east India during the 9th century. In his right hand he holds a <i>vajra</i> or ‘diamond sceptre’, symbolising compassion. In his left he holds a bell, representing wisdom. Together these attributes form the fundamental components of the enlightened state. These two qualities are mirrored again on the human level by the male, who signifies compassion, and the female, signifying wisdom.","physicalDescription":"The Mahasiddha Ghantapa and consort of gilt brass.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Brass","id":"AAT10946"}],"techniques":[{"text":"cast","id":"x32615"},{"text":"gilded","id":"AAT53789"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Cast and gilded brass","categories":[{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"},{"text":"Buddhism","id":"THES48984"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2009CB5334","2009CB5335","2009CB5333","2009CB5332","2009CB5331","2009CB5330","2009CB5329","2006AH0361"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"17","id":"THES49859"},"free":"","case":"CA2","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Figure","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Tibet","id":"x29910"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"17th century","earliest":"1600-01-01","latest":"1699-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Bequeathed by J.L. Smith, Esq.","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"16","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"The Mahasiddha Ghantapa and consort. Ghantapa was a tantric adept who lived in north-east India during the 9th century.","briefDescription":"The Mahasiddha Ghantapa and consort, gilt brass, Tibet, 1600-1700","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"Tibetan art, John Lowry. London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1973","id":"AUTH344050"},"details":"p. 33, pl. 11","free":"Orientations; vol. 40. no. 4; May 2009; The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum.\r\nAmy Heller, Tibetan Buddhist Sculptures in the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Gallery, p.60"},{"reference":{"text":"Ayers, J. Oriental Art in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London 1983, ISBN 0-85667-120-7","id":"AUTH347571"},"details":"p. 86","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"Rhie, Marylin M, Thurman, Robert A F, <i>Wisdom and Compassion: the sacred art of Tibet</i>, London, 1996","id":"AUTH353312"},"details":"","free":""}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["IM.61-1929"],"accessionNumberNum":"61","accessionNumberPrefix":"IM","accessionYear":1929,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LW6294"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-08-15","recordCreationDate":"2003-03-05","availableToBook":false}}