Grey stoneNepal, 18th centuryDimensions: Height 18 cm by 14 cmWeight: 1.334 gramsThe Bodhisattva of Wisdom is seated in lotus pose on a lotus throne and surrounded by a pointed flaming halo. Manjushri is considered a fully enlightened Buddha in Vajrayana Buddhism and usually depicted wielding a flaming sword symbolizing transcendent wisdom with which he cuts down ignorance. The other lifted hand is holding the vajra (dorje in Tibetan language), the symbol of Vajrayana and a ritual weapon resembling a diamond and a thunderbolt in union. The other left hand is raised in front of the chest with thumb and ring finger touching, while the right hand is holding a lotus flower while resting on the knee. A striped dhoti covers the legs and a thin scarf is hanging from the shoulders around the arms. The chest is adorned with necklaces and the head is tilted to the right with a serious expression, ear pendants and a tiara on the head. An additional, smaller pointy aureole surrounds the head. The backside is flat.