ABS 150
Code: ABS 150
Country: Tibet
Style:
Date: 1200 - 1300
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 7.3 x 13 x 3.4
Materials: Embossed copper
Unidentified Tibetan monk
The lotus petals, cushion and backrest are decorated with engraved ornaments.
The back side of the statue is filled with black clay core of the type encountered with cast images. It is therefore possible that parts of the sculpture were cast, and others chased. This portrait is rather unusual from a stylistic point of view, and it is difficult to find similar works in existing literature on Tibetan sculptures.
The unidentified monk with distinct facial expression of a portrait-like nature is seated in the diamond attitude (vajraparyankasana) on a decorated cushion mounted upon a single lotus throne with a decorated upper border. The left hand rests in his lap, while he extends the right hand in the gesture of touching the earth (bhumisparsha-mudra). He is clad in monastic garments leaving the right arm uncovered. The monk is seated against a backrest decorated with engraved ornaments and encircled by an aureole (prabhamandala), his head being set against a pointed nimbus. The fact that the monk is seated on a lotus pedestal is an indication that this image was probably cast after his death, because images of monks made during their life-times are usually either depicted sitting on cushion, or in the case of early images, sometimes without any pedestal at all.
The lotus petals, cushion and backrest are decorated with engraved ornaments.
The back side of the statue is filled with black clay core of the type encountered with cast images. It is therefore possible that parts of the sculpture were cast, and others chased. This portrait is rather unusual from a stylistic point of view, and it is difficult to find similar works in existing literature on Tibetan sculptures.
The unidentified monk with distinct facial expression of a portrait-like nature is seated in the diamond attitude (vajraparyankasana) on a decorated cushion mounted upon a single lotus throne with a decorated upper border. The left hand rests in his lap, while he extends the right hand in the gesture of touching the earth (bhumisparsha-mudra). He is clad in monastic garments leaving the right arm uncovered. The monk is seated against a backrest decorated with engraved ornaments and encircled by an aureole (prabhamandala), his head being set against a pointed nimbus. The fact that the monk is seated on a lotus pedestal is an indication that this image was probably cast after his death, because images of monks made during their life-times are usually either depicted sitting on cushion, or in the case of early images, sometimes without any pedestal at all.