Tibet, 17th century

Milarepa (1040-1123), which translates to Great Cotton Clad One, is highly revered as one of the greatest yogis in the Buddhist tradition. Profoundly gifted as a singer and poet, he communicated Buddhism through song and poetry and is credited with numerous popular Tibetan folk songs. His characteristic gesture of holding his right hand to his ear may be interpreted as listening to the "echoes of nature." The present work depicts a rarer form of the great adept seated on a high throne with his right hand resting on his knee and his left holding a skullcup. He is identifiable as Milarepa by an inscription on the verso of the throne which reads Homage to the holy Mila cotton-clad one! Compare the rounded curls of the hair with that of another bronze figure of Milarepa in the collection of Carolyn and Wesley Halpert (HAR item no. 90828). Also note the similarly incised pattern on the throne of the present work with the incised robes of the Halpert figure.