Image title: Manjushri (Tibet, 13th century)

This Bronze sculpture shows an image of Manjushri, from the 13th/14th century origination from Tibet.—Materials used: Bronze, cold gold, paint, semi-precious stones.

Description: Manjushri, “Beauteous Splendor,” personifies wisdom, symbolized by the “Perfection of Knowledge” manuscript and a sword (with which he destroys ignorance), here shown as tiny attributes balanced on blue lotuses. Of many aspects and names, he is exceptionally popular in Nepal. Buddhists credit him with draining the lake that once filled the Kathmandu Valley.

Gallery information:

The Patan Museum is located on the Durbar square of Patan (Lalitpur/Lalitapura, Kathmandu, Nepal) which is associated Keshav Narayan Chowk (Keshavnarayan)—a form of Lord Vishnu. Being listed as a World Heritage Site, the whole of Durbar square is filled with exquisite temples, sculptures and other ancient structures, of which the ancient history history can be traced to the Malla Kings of Lalitpur. It is an important site for both Buddhism and Hinduism.