TIBET, 17TH-18TH CENTURY

The present sculpture bears a carefully-carved inscription upon the verso of its rich zitan base, reading “Homage to the arhat Bakula!” The arhat or elder, Bakula, is considered one of the direct disciples of the historical buddha Shakyamuni who swiftly achieved enlightenment and, therefore serves as example to devotees. He is depicted here according to standard iconography: as an ordained monk, holding a mongoose. He is propitiated for his ability to bestow basic material needs to those who have taken refuge. This small sculpture is likely to have been one of a larger set of arhats.

Himalayan Art Resources (himalayanart.org), item no. 24463.