Tibet, lamas with hat

16th century, Tibet, lama, bronze with copper inlay, private collection, photo by Nagel, sale 106 China 1 lot 154.

this Kagyu lama with a foot showing from under his coat dons a very singular hat with a large U at the front and at the back (see below). His right hand is in the gesture of knowledge (jnana mudra), the left hand holds a flaming jewel.

His cloak is spread over the base so as to form large lotus petals.

Unlabelled (circa 15th century?, Tibet, lama, brass with silver-inlaid eyes and copper-inlaid vest), private collection, photo on HAR .

Not as tall and with a small square at the front, this Kagyu hat is fan shaped and the lappets folded at the front are the same size as the rest. The teacher’s right hand is in the gesture of debate/discussion, his left hand holds a manuscript.

15th century, Tibet, lama, bronze (brass) with cold gold (and pigments), private collection, photo by Hardt, Fine Asian Art 9 lot 68.

A Drukpa Kagyu lama with a plain fan-shaped hat, seated on a lotus base atop an openwork plinth.

17th century, Western Tibet, Kagyu lama, gilt bronze on a gilt repoussé base, private collection, photo Leonard Joel.

A similar high hat richly incised and decorated with a turquoise cabochon.

18th century, Tibet, lama, bronze with silver and copper inlay, photo by Hardt as before, lot 54.

A different model, with various folds on each side of the central circle. The border of the lama’s cloak and robe is inlaid with copper, the border of his vest is inlaid with silver.

16th century, Tibet, bronze, Sakya lama, private collection, photo on Uppsala .

Possibly made in the Tsang province this masterpiece features a man in monkish garments with a floral border, his hands making the ‘turning the wheel of dharma‘ gesture, coiffed with a bonnet-like hat with long lappets falling over his shoulders.

17th century, Tibet, lama, possibly Gyaltsab Je, gilt copper with silver and pigments, private collection, photo on lot-art .

The pandita hat is usually peaked. It is the main hat of the Gelug (yellow) and the Sakya (red) orders. The above has silver-inlaid eyes, his face is painted with cold gold and pigments, there is a manuscript in his left hand.

18th century, Tibet, lama, bronze, private collection, photo on AKG Images .

This one holds a long-life vase in his left hand.