Tibet, famous lamas (41)

16th century, Tibet, Sonam Tsemo, gilt copper alloy, 13 cm, Jules Speelman collection lot 3, 11th June 2024, photo and details by Alvina Ang on Bonhams (Paris).

Like his father, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, Sonam Tsemo (1142-1182 AD) was a layman, hence the long-sleeve garment made of fine silk with a floral pattern, a cloud-shaped collar, and a border with scrolling vegetation. He holds a manuscript in his left hand and makes the fear-allaying gesture with the other. His legs and feet are covered by his meditation cloak, which is decorated with a cloud pattern and Buddhist symbols (see close up on HAR ). Compare with another portrait seen on Bonhams.

15th-16th century, Tibet, Dragpa Gyaltsen, gilt copper alloy, 18,1 cm, as before, lot 18, on Bonhams.

Dragpa Gyaltsen (identified by an inscription on the base) is often depicted with his arms crossed over his chest and his hands holding a vajra sceptre and a vajra bell.

18th century, Tibet, Marpa, materials unknown (painted wood or clay ?), size unknown, item ABS 387 on Fondation Alain Bordier , at the Tibet Museum in Gruyères (Switzerland).

A vivid image of Marpa Chokyi Lodro (cir. 1012-1097 AD), often seated with his hands over his knees and his bare right foot showing. We have seen two closely related sculptures of this famous translator in the gTsug Lhakhang collection in Lhasa, published by Ulrich von Schroeder on  Jokhang Sculptures pl. 336 D and 336 F.

13th-14th century, Central Tibet, Densatil, Jigten Sumgon Rinchen Pel, gilt copper alloy with silver and stone inlay, 18,1 cm, Jules Speelman collection lot 10, 11th June 2024, Bonhams (Paris).

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, 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, a few lamdre teachers (2)

We saw a set of copper repoussé lamdre teachers from the Mindrolling monastery. The following are made of clay on a wooden armature and are kept at the Lamdre Lhakhang of the Palkor Chode monastery complex in Gyantse (see also: A few specific topics > materials > clay sculptures in Tibet, right-hand toolbar). The photographs have been kindly provided by Mr Ulrich von Schroeder and are published in his book ‘Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet’, Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, pp. 878 – 881.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15th century, Central Tibet, Pandita Gayadhara, painted clay, 91 cm, inventory nº L06.

 

The Lam Dre doctrine (see here ) was brought to Tibet by this Indian master, along with Drogmi Sakya Yeshe (next picture).

15th century, Central Tibet, ‘Brog mi Lo tsa ba Sakya Ye shes, painted clay, 98 cm, inventory nº L07.

Drogmi/Drokmi Lotsawa Shakya Yeshe (993-1077 ?) was a translator, as indicated by the word lotsawa in his name ( Treasury of Lives quote 992 -1043/1072 for his lifespan). 

 

15th century, Central Tibet, Sa chen Kun dga’ snying po, painted clay, 92 cm, inventory nº L10.

We have seen numerous sculptures of Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092-1158), always wearing long sleeves covering both arms, indicating that he was a layman. See biographical notes on  Treasury of Lives .

15th century, Central Tibet, bSod nams rtse mo, painted clay, 93 cm, inventory nº L11.

15th century, Central Tibet, Grags pa rgyal mtshan, painted clay, 99 cm, inventory nº L12.

Sonam Tsemo (1142-1182) and Dragpa/Drakpa Gyaltsen (1147-1216) were his sons, both laymen.  Treasury of Lives:  Dragpa Gyaltsen and Sonam Tsemo .

15th century, Central Tibet, Sa skya Pandita, painted clay, 97 cm, inventory nº L13.

Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen (1182-1251) was Sachen Kunga Nyingpo’s grandson and the nephew of Sonam Tsemo and Dragpa Gyaltsen (biographical notes here ). We will note that his hair is drawn in a bun, as on other sculptures of him published in previous posts.

15th century, Central Tibet, Se ston Kun rig (1025–1122), painted clay, 98 cm, inventory nº L08.

Seton Kunrik (1029-1116 according to Treasury of Lives , with surprisingly no entry for him, only various mentions).

15th century, Central Tibet, Zhang ston Chos ‘bar, painted clay, 98 cm, inventory nº L09.

Zhangton or Shangton Chobar (1053-1135) and his brother received the teachings from Seton Kunrig (biography on Zhangton Chobar ).

15th century, Central Tibet, Phags pa Blo gros rgyal mtshan, painted clay, 90 cm, inventory nº L14.

Phagpa/Pakpa Lodro Gyaltsen (1235-1280), brother of Sakya Pandita (biography here ).

15th century, Central Tibet, Zhang (ston) dKon mchog dpal, painted clay, 92 cm, inventory nº L15.

Zhangton Konchok Pel (mid 13th century-1317) received his lamdre teachings from the previous figure (Phagpa Lodro Gyaltsen). See Treasury of Lives.

15th century, Central Tibet, (Naza) Dragpupa Sonam Pel, painted clay, 92 cm, inventory nº L16.

In turn,  Naza Dragpupa Sonam Pel (1277-1346) received the lamdre lineage from Zhangton Konchok Pel.

15th century, Central Tibet, Bla ma dam pa bSod nam rgyal mtshan, painted clay, 90 cm, inventory nº L17.

Lama Dampa Sonam Gyaltsen , (1312-1375) 

15th century, Central Tibet, Seton Kunga Tashi Gyaltsen, painted clay, 88 cm, inventory nº L18.

Kunga Tashi Gyaltsen Pel Zangpo (1349-1425), biographical notes on HAR .