Grey StoneNepal, 18th centuryDimensions: Height 20 cm by 12 cm Weight: 1.382 gramsDvarapala means "door/gate guardian" and is commonly armed with a gada or mace, like here. It is often found in architectural spaces all over Hindu, Buddhist, Jaina as well as Java cultures. Here the guardian is depicted in a wide stance with left knee bent standing on a lotus base. The left hand is raised with thumb and ring finger touching, while the other is holding the mace in front of his legs. The guardian is wearing a striped dhoti and a lamellar armour with fringes on the bottom. The head is adorned with a five-pointed crown and beaded top. Large circular pendants hang on the elongated earlobes. The round face resembles a human with bulging eyes but has a friendly expression. The Dvarapala is surrounded by a fiery pointed aureole. The back is flat.