.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
This figure represents a serpent king, Nagaraja. His regal character is emphasized by the abundance of ornaments and richly inlaid jewelry. His graceful gesture of supplication and adoration must be considered as among the most iconic of the Densatil group.
Heavily cast gilt-bronze figures of this type are characteristic of the Densatil style, a Kagyu monastic complex in central Tibet, southeast of Lhasa. Founded in the late 12th century, it enjoyed generous patronage and was lavishly decorated during a period of expansion from circa 1360 until the early 16th century. The main monastery was known for eight extraordinary inlaid gilt copper memorial stupas in the main hall symbolizing Buddha's first teaching in Benares. These stupas were called tashi gomang, meaning "many doors of auspiciousness," and were multi-tiered structures filled with deities, such as the present example.
Examples of sculpture from these elaborate tashi gomang are presently on view in the exhibition, Golden Visions of Densatil, A Tibetan Buddhist Monastery (Asia Society, New York, 19 February - 18 May 2014), which includes five Nagaraja figures (see O. Czaja and A. Proser, eds., pp. 82-90, figs. 6-10).
Heavily cast gilt-bronze figures of this type are characteristic of the Densatil style, a Kagyu monastic complex in central Tibet, southeast of Lhasa. Founded in the late 12th century, it enjoyed generous patronage and was lavishly decorated during a period of expansion from circa 1360 until the early 16th century. The main monastery was known for eight extraordinary inlaid gilt copper memorial stupas in the main hall symbolizing Buddha's first teaching in Benares. These stupas were called tashi gomang, meaning "many doors of auspiciousness," and were multi-tiered structures filled with deities, such as the present example.
Examples of sculpture from these elaborate tashi gomang are presently on view in the exhibition, Golden Visions of Densatil, A Tibetan Buddhist Monastery (Asia Society, New York, 19 February - 18 May 2014), which includes five Nagaraja figures (see O. Czaja and A. Proser, eds., pp. 82-90, figs. 6-10).