Tibet, famous lamas (40)

Undated (15th century?), Tibet, (painted clay or wood?), Khenchen Jangchug Pelzango, Sakya Sribhadra, Jamyang Rinchen Gyaltsen, with recently replaced hands, photo by Dudul Dorjay, 2011 on virginia.edu, in the shrine dedicated to the masters of the Second Diffusion of Buddhism in Tibet, at the Pelkhor Chode monastic complex in Gyantse (Tibet).

From left to right, (Zulpu) Khenchen Jangchub Pelzangpo, a 14th century Tibetan master, Sakya Shribhadra, a 12th century Kashmiri scholar (see both on Treasury of Lives ) whose left hand originally displayed the gesture of debate (vitarka mudra), Jamyang Rinchen Gyaltsen, a 13th century Sakya master (see on wikipedia).

Undated (15th century?), Tibet, Choki Rinchen, Gyalse Thokme, Gangchen Khepe Wangpo Kungapel, (painted clay or wood?), photo by Dudul Dorjay, 2011 on virginia.edu, Sempa Shrine in the Gyantse Kumbum Stupa, at the Pelkhor Chode monastic complex in Gyantse (Tibet).

Circa 16th-17th century, Tibet, Dpal ldan tshul khrims (Palden Tsultrim), brass, 16,8 cm, object nº AK-MAK-1510 at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam (The Netherlands).

18th century, Tibet, Dpal ldan tshul khrims (Palden Sultrim), bronze, 19 cm, object nº AK-MAK-307 at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam (The Netherlands).

We saw a group of six Sakya Lamdre lineage masters including this lama on Bonhams . These two sculptures depict him with his right hand in the gesture of debate and the left hand in meditation, with a vase of longevity in the second case (possibly missing from the first one).

16th century, Tibet, probably Rin chen phun tshogs, gilt copper with cold gold and pigment, 27,5 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 1075 pl. 277C, at the Gser khang lha khang, Bri gung mthil (Drigung Thil) monastery (Tibet).

Rinchen Phuntsog was an important Drikung/Drigung teacher who lived during the 16th century (see drikung.org). He was a layman, hence the long-sleeve outer garment tied with a belt (note the elegant knot).

18th century, Tibet, sMin gling gter chen ‘Gyur med rdo rje (Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje), gilt copper, 10 cm, photo as before, p. 1082 pl. 281A, at the sMin grol gling (Mindroling) monastery (Tibet).

The author explains that according to an inscription at the back of the base, the founder of the Mindroling monastery is shown here at the age of 67. He holds a  long-life vase in his left hand.

Tibet, famous lamas (39)

16th-17th century, Tibet, Shel grong Pan chen Blo gros chos kyi khyu mchog, founder of the gDung phud chos ‘khor, gilt copper, 38 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 1080 pl. 280A, at the gDung phud chos ‘khor (Sakya monastery), lower Tib chu valley (Tibet).

Dressed in monastic garments with an embroidered border, the lama is seated with his legs locked and his hands ‘turning the wheel of dharma‘. On the backrest of his throne we can see elephants supporting sharabhas, makaras, and a garuda at the top holding a naga in its beak and claws.

Circa 16th century, Tibet, mKhas grub dGe legs dpal bzang po, gilt copper, 23,8 cm, photo as before, p. 1081 pl. 280B , at the Palkor Chode monastic complex in Gyantse (Tibet).

Identified by an inscription on the foot of the lotus base, Kedrup Geleg Pal Zangpo (see biographical notes on HAR ) is making the same hand gesture and holding the stem of lotuses that support a vajra sceptre to his right and a vajra bell to his left.

Circa 1750, Tibet, Grwa pa mNong shes, gilt copper, 15,2 cm, photo as before, p. 966 pl. 233A, at the sMin grol gling (Mindroling) monastery (Tibet).

Drapa Ngonshe, founder of the Drathang monastery, has a manuscript in his left hand. See biographical notes on Treasury of Lives

Circa 1750 AD, Tibet, Klu sding rin chen mi ‘gyur rgyal tshan, 37th abbot of the Ngor monastery, gilt copper, 18,2 cm, photo as before, p. 1083 pl. 281D, at the Ngor E wam Monastery (Tibet).

Rinchen Migyur Gyaltsen is holding a long-life vase.  

16th century, Tibet, Lowo Kenchen Sonam Lhundrup, copper alloy with copper inlay, 44,5 cm, private collection, photo and detailed notes by Sosi Mehren on Bonhams

Sonam Lhundrup, above, and Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, below, are holding lotuses topped with the hilt of a sword (to their right) and a manuscript (to their left), which are Manjushri’s attributes.

Late 15th or early 16th century, Tibet, Tsang province, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, bronze, private collection, Purity and Enlightenment lot 18, Hollywood Galleries

Tibet, famous lamas (38)

15th century, Tibet, possibly Buton Rinchen Drub, gilt copper alloy, 17,6 cm, private collection, Images of Devotion lot 1818, 1st December 2023, photo and notes by Dora Tan on Bonhams (Hong Kong).

According to Dora Tan the square face and the attributes on the flowers he holds, a vajra sceptre and a vajra bell, match a portrait of this Tibetan master (see on HAR ), who was the eleventh abbot of the Shalu monastery.

15th century, Tibet, Khedrup Gompo Sengge? (labelled ‘Marpa Lotsawa’), gilt bronze with cold gold and pigment, 19 cm, private collection, Auction 19 lot 23, 24th February 2024, Hardt Auctions

We saw a statue on Sotheby’s labelled ‘Khedrup Gompo Sengge’ depicting the same man with both hands over his knees and a rosary in his left hand. According to the auction house, the inscription along the base of this one starts with ‘Om Kha drub gon po Seng ge’.

16th century, Tibet, Marpa Chokyi Lodro, gilt bronze, 10,5 cm, private collection, as before lot 343 on Hardt

The famous translator is often depicted in this posture, with his hands over his knees and the toes of his right foot peeping out. As a layman he always wears an outer garment with long sleeves covering both arms and usually has a meditation coat over his shoulders, with his long hair spread over it (see below).

15th century, Tibet, Sonam Gyaltsen, copper alloy with silver and gold, 21 cm, private collection, Zhantan Lin: the highlights of Buddhist art lot 569, China Guardian (Hong Kong).

Sonam Gyaltsen is holding a lotus topped with triple gem (triratna) in his left hand. There is another lama wearing a pointed hat in this unusual fashion on HAR

18th century, Tibet (or China?), Changkya Rolpai Dorje? (labelled ‘the 5th [sic] Karmapa Kakyab Dorje’), private collection, Asian Art lot 133, 10th December 2018, Tajan

This cannot be Kakyab Dorje since he lived during the 19th century, but the hat and posture are the same as on most statues depicting Rolpai Dorje, the third changkya hutuktu/ Khutukhtu, (the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism in Inner Mongolian during the Qing Dynasty). Compare with Chinese sculptures of him on HAR ).

Tibet, Lama Zhang (4)

14th century, Tibet, Lama Shang, gilt copper, 13,6 cm, private collection, Images of Devotion lot 1807, 1st December 2023, Bonhams (Hong Kong).

Circa 13th century, Tibet, lama Shang, brass, 8,5 cm, private collection, Images of Devotion lot 3, 3rd October 2017, Bonhams (Hong Kong).

15th century, Tibet, Lama Zhang?, Tshalpa, gilt bronze, 12,2 cm, Zhantan Lin: The Highlights of Buddhist Art lot 570, 7th October 2023, China Guardian (Hong Kong).

Zhang Yudrakpa Tsondru Drakpa (1122-1193), founder of the Tshalpa Kagyu sect (see biographical notes on Treasury of Lives ), popularly known as Lama Shang or Zhang. All the sculptures of him seen so far depict him with his hands in the Earth-touching and the meditation position, and on all but one he wears a thick cloak over his shoulders.

Tibet, famous lamas (37)

Undated (15th or 16th century ?), Tibet, bStan-dzin-lhun-grub, brass, inventory nº Hb33 at the Museo d’Arte Orientale in Turin (Italy).

We saw an image of Tenzin Lhundrup, a Nyingma tantric master, on Sotheby’s (without the moustache and beard, and with a beaded tiara and a half-vajra finial). He holds the same attributes as Tsang Nyon Heruka seen in the previous post and his appearance is very similar.

Circa 16th century, Tibet, Rje Btsun Gling pa Heruka , scan nº 531 on Huntington Archive, at the Tibet House museum in New Delhi (India).

According to an inscription on the base this elderly man with a prominent topknot is Jetsun Lingpa Heruka. He holds the same attributes as the previous character and also sits on a tiger skin atop a lotus seat, but in this case the base is preserved. It consists in a stepped lion throne with an upright vajra sceptre at the front and foliate legs (lotus leaves), decorated with an incised motif.

16th century, Tibet, Chokyi Gyelpo, gilt copper alloy, 14,3 cm, private collection, Dharma and Tantra lot 109, 18th September 2023, Sotheby’s

The 10th abbot of the Drigung Thil monastery is portrayed like a robust man swathed in richly embroidered silk garments and flanked by lotuses, one of them supporting a manuscript. (See more on Treasury of Lives ).

Circa 16th century, Tibet, brog mi lo tsa ba sakya ye shes (Drogmi Lotsawa Shakya Yeshe), gilt copper, 14 cm, private collection, Auction A167AS lot 113, 29th October 2013, Koller

We have seen quite a few sculptures of this famous translator (lotsawa), displaying a variety of hand gestures. On this example he makes the gesture of debate/discussion with his right hand, the other makes the gesture to bestow patience upside-down. (For biographical notes see Treasury of Lives )

17th century, Tibet, Jigten Sumgon Rinchen Pel, silver alloy, 6,5 cm, private collection, Dharma and Tantra as before, lot 111, Sotheby’s

The founder of the Drigung Kagyu school is almost always depicted with his right hand in the Earth-touching gesture and the other in the gesture of meditation.

16th century, Tibet, high ranking lama, gilt bronze, 12 cm, private collection, Auction A205AS lot 106, 20th June 2023, Koller

The sumptuous silk garments indicate that this man was a hierarch, perhaps an abbot. An inscription on the base identifies him as Phyug Cho Pa Rtan Rgyal Cho .

Tibet, various lamas (17)

16th century, Tibet, Kagyu Lama, bronze (with copper and silver inlay?), 12,7 cm, Fine Asian Works of Art lot 50, 14th December 2022, Bonhams (Los Angeles).

This masterpiece depicts a lama from the Kagyu order, clad in monastic garb with an incised border and coiffed with the distinctive fan-shaped hat, holding a manuscript in his left hand. An inscription on the back reads ‘Dorje Chang Wanggi Gyalpo la namo!’, i.e.’Homage to Vajradhara Wang gi Gyalpo’, according to Bonhams.

16th century, Tibet, lama (labelled ‘Laughing Mahasiddha’), bronze, 12,5 cm, Asian Art A203AS lot 111, 29th November 2022, Koller.

The inscription on the back identifies this man as Thubtob Ling Repangma Dorje (therefore Tibetan, not Indian). He is seated on a tiger or leopard skin, his back covered with a richly decorated silk cloak, a meditation trap slung across his chest, his ears adorned with earplugs. He holds a vajra sceptre pointing to his heart and a skull cup.

Update 09/08/23: a reader has kindly pointed out that the name is in fact ‘ Gling-ras Padma-rdo-rje, the Tibetan-born founder of the Drukpa Kagyu school who lived 800 years ago’.

Circa 1479, Tibet, Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen, gilt copper alloy, 31,7 cm, probably made by an artist called Tsugtor, The Claude de Marteau Collection Part III, lot 16, 14th June 2023, photo and extensive notes by Jing Wen on Bonhams (Paris).

We have seen many sculptures of Dragpa Gyaltsen, including quite a few of him holding a vajra sceptre and a vajra bell in his hands crossed over his heart. His layman’s garb often includes a cloak with a cloud-shaped cape or collar, as above.

Tibet, Ngadak Puntsok Rigdzin

Mid-17th century, (Tibetan school in Mustang), Ngadak Puntsok Rigdzin, papier mâché, life-size, photo from a detailed article by C. Luczanits on Project Himalayan Art , at the Lo Gekha Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Mustang, Nepal.

See also the biographical notes on Ngadak Sempa Chenpo Chögyal Puntsok Rigdzin (1592-1656) on Lotsawa House. The Tibetan master is depicted as a yogin, with a mass of matted hair coiled and held in place with a headband, a meditation belt worn across his bare chest, his lower garment draped high up and fastened with three strings, as observed by the author. There is a vajra sceptre in his right hand and possibly a vajra bell in the other.

Mid-17th century, Tibetan artist in Nepal, Ngadak Puntsok Rigdzin as per inscription around the base, gilt metal alloy, 67 cm, photo after Amy Heller, 2010, from the same article, at the Tsarang Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Mustang, Nepal.

The same yogin, holding a long-life vase in one hand and leaning on the other.

Tibet, famous lamas (36)

The following sculptures belong to a corpus of non-gilt brass works made in the Tsang province (Tibet). Published on Bonhams, with extensive notes by Dora Tan (including a translation of the inscriptions around the base), they depict five patriarchs from the Sakya order, all of whom we have seen in previous posts. The first three wear garments that cover both arms because they were laymen, not monks.

15th-16th century, Central Tibet, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, copper alloy, 17,8 cm, private collection, Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art lot 521, 21st March 2023, Bonhams.

15th-16th century, Central Tibet, Sonam Tsemo, same as before.

15th-16th century, Central Tibet, Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen (also spelt Drakpa), same as before.

15th-16th century, Central Tibet, Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen, same as before.

15th-16th century, Central Tibet, Drogon Chogyal Pagpa Lodro Gyaltsen, same as before.

Tibet, famous lamas (35)

16th century, Tibet, Sangye Nyenpa, silver, 6,8 cm, Indian and Himalayan Art lot 111, 21st March 2023, Sotheby’s.

Sangye Nyenpa Tashi Peljor, identified by an inscription at the back of the lotus base, makes the gesture of debate with his right hand while the other is cupped in the gesture of meditation. The border of his garments and most of the patches, including his vest – which comes unusually high up – are deeply engraved with a floral motif.  (See biographical notes  on Tashi Peljor on Treasury of Lives ).

13th century, Tibet, Jigten Sumgon Rinchen Pel, gilt copper alloy, private collection, same as before, lot 128.

We have seen a few other sculptures of this lama with distinctive facial features, although none with such a singular lotus seat. It is adorned with an incised vajra sceptre at the front (see biographical notes on Treasury of Lives ).

14th century, Tibet, Cohje (Choje?) Lorepa Wanchuk Tsondru, copper alloy, 89 cm, private collection, photo as before, lot 129.

See biographical notes on Treasury of Lives

16th century, Tibet, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, brass with silver-inlaid eyes, 17 cm, The Claude de Marteau Collection Part II lot 26, 4th October 2022, Bonhams (Paris).

The famous teacher is depicted with a vajra sceptre in his right hand and a vajra bell in the other, in addition to the stem of a night lily that supports the hilt of a sword and a day one topped with a manuscript, which are Manjushri’s attributes. Being a layman, he wears a garment with long sleeves that covers both arms. It appears to have a cloud-shaped collar and is topped with a meditation cloak. (See biographical notes on Treasury of Lives ).

16th century, Bhutan, Ngawang Drakpa, (1520-1580) (labelled’17th century, Tibet, Dorjechang Garwang Dragpa’ on HAR ),  bronze with copper and silver inlay, private collection, Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art lot 327, 22nd March 2023, Christie’s .

The style of this brass sculpture, including the richly decorated borders of the garments, brings to mind series of non-gilt works inlaid with silver and copper attributed to a workshop (or workshops) operating in the Tsang province around the 16th century. There are several teachers with the same name, including the Guge khenchen seen in a previous post, but the dates given by the auction house correspond to the Ngawang Drakpa , born in Bhutan. His right hand makes the gesture of debate, the other is cupped to hold a vase topped with a flaming jewel.

Tibet, famous lamas (33)

Early 17th century, Tibet, Khedrup Gyaltsen, bronze with copper and silver inlay, The John C. and Susan L. Huntington collection, lot 405, 21st September 2022, photo and extensive notes on Christie’s .

16th century, Tibet, Marpa, gilt bronze, 36 cm, private collection, Asian Art lot 3100, 2nd December 2021, Polyauction (Hong Kong).A singular portrait of a youthful Marpa Chokyi Lodro, the famous 11th century Tibetan teacher and translator (see Treasury of Lives) more often depicted as a stocky man with thick matted hair. The elongated waist and the vacant eyes give him a supernatural appearance. Since he was not a monk he wears a layman’s robe with long sleeves and an embroidered border, and a matching cloak.