TIBET, 15TH CENTURY

The outstanding quality of this small soapstone figure of Jambhala is apparent with an understanding of its age and the spiritual adoration paid to it by its owner in hopes of prosperity. While the open lotus emerging from its stalk provides support for his proper-right foot in an overtly Pala-influenced manner, the style of the jewels pouring out of the mongoose’s mouth (fully executed with round body, articulated fur, and a tail that curls around the back of the base) seemingly originated in Tibet around the 15th century with Densatil bronzes. While the present example sits upon a much smaller lotus base and depicts the jewels in this distinctly Tibetan fashion, both the material and Pala-influenced stylistic qualities correspond well to an example at the University of Southern California's Pacific Asia Museum, also dated to the 15th century (Fig. 1).