TIBET, 13TH CENTURY

This hammered-metal plaque depicts Manjuvajra in a helmet-like crown with triangular petals and similar triangular arm bands, as is common among early Tibetan paintings from the twelfth and thirteenth century; see a painting of Vairochana at the Cleveland Museum of Art dated to the second half of the twelfth century for reference (acc. no. 1989.104). Wall paintings in the same style, such as the well-known image of Amitabha, in the Gosum Lhakhang at Shalu Monastery are firmly dated between 1290-1303, providing context for this style in Tibet.

Himalayan Art Resources (himalayanart.org), item no. 24496.