Vaishravana
(Japanese: Bishamonten), Guardian King of the North, and chief of the four Heavenly
Kings who became the celestial Dharma King early on in Buddhism. He is a also
known as Jambhala, a popular God of Wealth, the protector of Buddhist dharma greatly
worshipped in China and Tibet.
A
late 19th to early 20th century Chinese gilt bronze Vaishravana statue in traditional
Tibetan motif. He is seated sideways in royal ease on a snow lion above an oval
lotus base, wrapped with seventeen double lotus petals in full circle. The
Vaishravana statue is detailed and hand chased in full armor, serene
and dignified with strength and vigor. He holds a jewel spitting mongoose in his
left, and a victory banner in his right which is now missing. The statue has been
cast in one piece. It is tightly closed with a five-leaves repousse on copper
plate.