TIBET, TSANG PROVINCE, 16TH CENTURY

The upturned edges of this figure’s copper lips give this human portrait of Sakya master Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092-1158) a soft, compassionate smile. The remaining hair around his balding pate, created with silver inlay with horizontal incisions, and outer robe designated for laymen accords to an established Sakya tradition of portraiture. Silver and copper inlay adds even greater interest to the heavily-incised robe filled with an array of auspicious motifs, which was cast in a way that looks as if it falls in a very natural manner over the top of his single-lotus base. Though recognizable, he is clearly identified by an inscription on the back of the base (Fig. 1), which reads “Homage to Sachen Kunga Nyingpo.” The present example, with the exception of the gilt finish, is quite similar to a portrait of his son, Drakpa Gyaltsen in the renowned Nyingjei Lam Collection (Fig. 2). Both examples share the style of double-lotus base attributed to South-central Tibet.