A SILVER- AND COPPER-INLAID BRONZE FIGURE OF A LAMA

TIBET, 16TH CENTURY

Details

A SILVER- AND COPPER-INLAID BRONZE FIGURE OF A LAMA
TIBET, 16TH CENTURY
Seated in dhyanasana on a cushion over a throne, wearing a vest with silver and copper inlay at the neckline beneath thick robes with an allover floral pattern and further copper-inlaid letters on the verso, the face with finely cast silver eyes and copper lips beneath a lama hat with long lappets, also inlaid with copper, flanked by two lotuses carrying the book and sword, the throne with lions, elephants and attendants at front and an extensive inscription in beautiful hand at verso
5 7/8 in. (15 cm.) high

Provenance

The Sporer Collection, New Jersey, acquired between 1962 and 1985

Literature

Himalayan Art Resource (himalayanart.org), item no. 24041

Lot Essay

The inscription translates to:
Having vast knowledge of scriptures,
the rhythm of the four virtues make all the sentient beings rest blissfully,
I prostrate to the feet of the great teacher and pray,
whose noble cause is to flourish Buddha dharma.
The lineage master who bestow,
the co-emergence of the great bliss of luminosity with clarity and emptiness,
to samsara, nirvana, one’s mind, dreams and illusions,
May I pray to such master and bless me.

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