Item: Deity - (Unidentified Female)

Bhrikuti, Standing. (This is a tentative identification based on the iconographic appearance and the hand gestures).

Bhrikuti is a common retinue figure from the Amoghapasha Five Deity configuration. According to the depictions of the four retinue figures, based on early Himalayan painted scrollwork and murals, they can be either seated, or standing in dance and dynamic postures. In early painted examples the four hand attributes are not specific to a particular right or left hand because the attributes are simply listed without a particular location or position described leaving the artist free to mix and match as desired. The additional four sculpture have not as yet been located in any museums, institutions, private collections or temples.

"Lord of compassion Noble Lokeshvara,
Amoghapasha and wrathful Hayagriva,
Ekajati and goddess Bhrikuti;
Noble Five Deities gathered together, I bow"
(bod brgyud nang bstan lha thsogs chen mo bzhugs so).

[Bari Gyatsa #38] Arya Bhrikuti.
Bhrikuti, [with] a body yellow in colour, one face and four hands. The right [two hold the gesture of] supreme generosity and a garland. The left, a stick and water pot. Wearing the hair as a crown. Slightly wrathful and [slightly] peaceful. Seated in the vajrasattva posture. (Konchog Lhundrub, 1497-1557).

Jeff Watt, 9-2024

(For similar examples please see the publication The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum (Sculpture) ).