r/BuddhistStatues

My friend got this for me at a yard sale in the midwestern US. I thought it was an incense holder or something representing nothing in particular for quite some time. A closer look and a run-in with a large sculpture of the same subject at the DIA told me otherwise. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

- it looks like a figurine or Yamantaka and Vajravetali.
- Vajravetali’s top half is missing (would it be detachable for a reason?).
- it used to be painted. The arms kind of look like they used to be gilded as well.
- it’s about 6 cm tall.

Main things I’m wondering:
- Country/culture of origin? Idk that much about different iconographies, etc.
- How old is it? This might be trickier - I see these dating anywhere from 18th century to fairly recent. The paint at least implies that it’s sort of old?

I’ve had this for a while and am so curious. Any info helps!

Finally bought Amida from that Pawn Shop, hes in good shape but still missing that finger on his right hand. Thinking about finding some clay that matches that color and replace his finger.

I also got a mat, some incense sticks, and a pot to put it but not sure what else I am missing. If anyone knows then please do tell me, some advice will help me a lot.

Thank you!

Buddha’s Crown Palace. The complex was completed in 2015 and houses the world’s only surviving parietal (skull) relic of Shakyamuni Buddha, often described as a fragment of his cranium. The relic was discovered in 2008 inside an Ashoka Pagoda beneath the former Changgan Temple (now Bao’en Temple) in Nanjing’s Qinhuai District, and was permanently enshrined at Foding Palace in 2015.

Found this big boy at a Chinatown Pawn shop for $49 CAD (originally $89 CAD), the reason cause of his middle figure missing on his left hand (bottom)