Buddha Head with Tantric Crown, 17th century
The Crown is Tibetan and may be of later date, probably 19th century.
The gilt bronze and painted head is crowned with the Five Dhyani Buddhas associated with tantric systems of practice and represent various physical and mental aspects of wisdom.
The Five Dhyani Buddhas are Vairochana, Akshobya, Ratnsambhava, Amitabha and Amogasiddhi. They are mentioned in most of the tantric systems and represent various physical and mental aspects of Buddhist practice. It should be noted though that many different forms of each deity exist, and different tantras can have slightly different explanations (for example, in the Kalachakra tantra, six Dhyani-Buddhas are mentioned, and most have different colours and shapes). The five Dhyani-Buddhas are also often found on the crown on the head of tantric Buddhas, as here.
A close stylistically related figure is displayed in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London depicting the Head of a Tibetan King, 1700-1800.