Tibet, Padmasambhava (33)

15th century, Tibet, Tantric Manifestation of Padmasambhava (?), gilt copper, 20,8 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 1046 pl. 263A , Potala Collection, Bla ma lha khang inventory nº 833, Lhasa (Tibet).

Clad in a bone apron and adorned with bone jewellery, this intriguing male figure stands with one foot on the hide of a hoofed animal placed on the lotus base. He has a skull cup in his right hand and appears to have held a ritual staff in the other – two of Padmasambhava’s attributes.

16th-17th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava, gilt copper, 25,7 cm, photo as before, p. 1079 pl. 279B, at the gTsug lha khang in the sMin grol gling (Mindroling) monastery (Tibet).

The standard form is seated and usually holds a vajra sceptre pointing to his heart, a skull cup containing nectar, gems and a long-life vase, and has a ritual staff propped against his left arm. His lotus hat is normally decorated with a sun disc and crescent moon symbol at the front and one or three vulture feathers on a lotus at the top. On this image, the sun and moon are used as a finial. He wears felt boots and sumptuous silk lay garments (that cover both arms).

16th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava, gilt copper alloy with cold gold and paint, 13 cm, private collection, Asian Art A209AS lot 107, 18th June 2024, Koller

16th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava, copper alloy with silver and copper inlay, 16 cm, private collection, Arts d’Asie lot 17, 14th June 2024, Sotheby’s (Paris).

18th-19th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava with two consort figures, bronze, 11,7 cm, private collection, Asian Art Online Only lot 726, 3rd June 2024, Nagel

Padmasambhava/Guru Rinpoche depicted with two of his consorts: Mandarava, a princess from Himachal Pradesh, and Yeshe Tsogyal, a princess from Tibet. They each hold a skull cup in one hand and make the fear-allaying gesture with the other.

Tibet, Padmasambhava with consorts (3)

Circa 17th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava, gilt copper alloy, silver skull cup, 24 cm, private collection, photo and notes on Bonhams (Paris).

Most triads of this kind depict the consorts standing (sometimes seated) on separate lotuses on each side of Padmasambhava, but on this example and the next one they are half kneeling and half squatting. Here, Mandarava, a princess from Himachal Pradesh, has her hands before her heart; Yeshe Tsogyal, a princess from Tibet, holds a skull cup in her left hand. As observed by Jing Wen from Bonhams, the former wears a sari and earplugs, the latter wears kingly attire (cloak long sleeves and a belt) and floral earrings.

17th or 18th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava and consorts, gilt brass, 29 cm, photo by Thierry Ollivier, inventory nº 10460 at the Musée des Arts asiatiques Guimet (France).

Mandarava may hold an arrow in her right hand and a long-life vase in the other, or a skull cup in either hand while making a wrathful gesture with the other (in this case, both figures make the teaching gesture with their free hand). Yeshe Tsogyal may hold a water pot or a skull cup in either hand.

Mongolia, Yeshe Tsogyal

All the posts in the Mongolian section of this blog have been revised and updated, additional information and direct links to pictures have been added.

17th-18th century, Mongolia, Yeshe Tsogyal, gilt copper alloy, 18 cm, Asian Art lot 104, 27th March 2010, Koller.

Seated on a round lotus base with overlapping petals going upwards, Yeshe Tsogyal, a Tibetan teacher and one of Padmasambhava’s famous consorts, holds a ritual water pot in her left hand and a (missing) skull cup in the other. She is wearing a silk dhoti with a lotus print and an embroidered hem, a scarf, princely jewellery and accessories, a sacred cord, a five-skull tiara.

Tibet, Padmasambhava with consorts (2)

14th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava triad, gilt bronze on a silvered metal base, private collection, Indian & Southeast Asian Art lot 171, 31st March 2005, Sotheby’s.

Guru Rimpoche is seated on a large lotus base with a thick stem, flanked by a monk who holds a ritual water pot and his Tibetan consort, Yeshe Tsogyal, who holds a skull cup. Both attendants are standing on a small lotus pedestal and making a gesture to ward off evil with their spare hand. The flaming nimbus behind Padmasambhava is supported by scrolling lotuses on which two birds are perched. The large object above Yeshe Tsogyal’s left shoulder may be a conch shell.

16th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava with consorts, copper alloy, private collection, photo on HAR

Yeshe Tsogyal is depicted here with a dakini appearance, standing on one foot and holding a drum and a skull cup. On the other side Mandarava, a princess from Himachal Pradesh, holds a skull cup in her right hand and makes the fear-allaying gesture with the other.

16th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava with consorts, gilt metal, private collection, photo on HAR

Here Mandarava stands to his left and holds a long-life vase, Yeshe Tsogyal holds a skull cup and has bare arms and feet.

18th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava triad, bronze, Asian Art lot 130, 2nd November 2011, Koller.

Another triad with a monk holding a ritual water pot and Yeshe Tsogyal holding a skull cup.

Tibet, Padmasambhava (24)

15th century, Tibet or Nepal, Padmasambhava, copper alloy with traces of gilding, private collection, photo on Myriad Forms .

The Indian master and co-founder of Tibetan Buddhism usually holds a vajra sceptre, a skull cup filled with nectar and jewels, and a ritual staff. On this coppery sculpture he holds the vajra sceptre diagonally against his heart. 

16th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava, bronze, private collection, photo on Koller

Complete with the ritual staff agains his left shoulder, his lotus hat decorated with a sun-and-moon symbol at the front and topped with a vulture feather, large floral earrings. 

17th-18th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava, gilt copper repoussé, private collection, photo on Sotheby’s.

17th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava, pandita form, metal (brass with cold gold and pigments), private collection, item 44777 on HAR.

As Pema Jungne he normally wears monkish garb, although the above appears to have both arms covered. He sits in the royal ease position on a lotus atop a throne supported by two lions and two kneeling figures who raise skull cups or bowls. Instead of the usual skull cup and wrathful gesture, he holds a vajra sceptre pointing to his heart and a long-life vase.

Late 17th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava with Yeshe Tsogyal and monk attendant, gilt copper alloy with pigments, attributed to Choying Dorje or his workshop, photo on Tenzing Asian Art.

Instead of being flanked by his two consorts, this triad features Yeshe Tsogyal and a male character (dressed like an arhat rather than a monk), each standing on separate lotus pedestals. Guru Rinpoche sits on a large lotus, flanked by lotus shoots and birds.

Bhutan, various characters (4)

17th century, Bhutan, Padmasambhava, (silver or copper alloy?), private collection, photo on HAR

The Indian teacher is flanked by his consorts, Mandarava and Yeshe Tsogyal, who stand on separate lotuses on an inverted lotus base. He is dressed in kingly attire and dons his distinctive lotus hat with a sun-and-moon symbol at the front and a vulture feather finial. He holds a vajra sceptre pointing to his heart and a skull cup, his ritual staff is missing. The consorts hold a skull cup in opposite hands and make the gesture of debate/teaching with the other.

18th-19th century, Bhutan, Padmasambhava, copper alloy, private collection, photo on Bonhams, San Francisco

Traditionally, there is a long-life vase in the skull cup he holds and a ritual staff (khatvanga) leaning against his left arm.

Circa 18th century, Bhutan, Ngawang Namgyal? (labelled ‘Dharma raja’), gilt copper (alloy) with cold gold (and red pigment), item R.14069 at the Indian Museum in Kolkata (India).

The tall red hat, monkish garb, and the position of the hands recall various Bhutanese sculptures of the Tibetan lama who became king of Bhutan (seen in previous posts), although he normally has a long goatee. There is a long-life vase in his left hand.

Tibet, Padmasambhava (22)

Circa 16th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava and his consorts, gilt copper alloy, private collection, photo in Bonhams

Coiffed with his distinctive hat topped with a vulture feather and decorated with a sun-and-moon symbol at the front, Guru Rinpoche holds a vajra sceptre pointing to his heart in his right hand and a skull cup in the other. Seated (rather than standing) on smaller lotuses next to him are Mandarava, on his right, with a long-life vase in her left hand, and Yeshe Tsogyal, on his left, holding a skull cup.

Circa 16th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava, (brass), private collection, item C2003.51.1 at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York (USA).

A rare sculpture of Padmasambhava in his main form surrounded with his eight manifestations, plus Yeshe Tsogyal and a monk (the pandita Shantarakshita according to the museum) standing on each side of him. There is also a buddha at the top, and Hayagriva (with a horse’s head on his own) at the bottom, standing between Padmasambhava’s two wrathful aspects, Sengge Dradog and Dorje Drolo. See close up and identification on HAR .

16th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava, gilt bronze, private collection, photo by Sotheby’s, 20th September 2002, lot 74.

16th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava, bronze with silver-inlaid eyes, private collection, auction 19562 lot 448, 17th March 2021, Christie’s.

Tibet, Padmasambhava (21)

15th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava, gilt bronz, private collection, photo on Christie’s .

Padmasambhava, wearing large earrings, thick felt boots, his distinctive lotus hat with a sun-and-moon symbol and vulture feather finial, a patched garment with long sleeves covering both arms (indicating he is a layman), embroidered seams, and a cloud-shaped collar. He holds a skull cup in his left hand and, with his right hand, points a vajra sceptre towards his heart, his ritual staff is not featured. The use of cold gold and pigments on his face make him look life-like.

18th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava, copper alloy, private collection, photo on Xanadu .

Complete  with a ritual staff in the crook of his left arm, and a long-life vase in the skull cup in his left hand.

18th century, Tibet, Guru Rinpoche, copper alloy, private collection, photo on Xanadu as above.

15th-16th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava, bronze, private collection, photo by Nagel, sale 108 China 1, lot 124.

Very few sculptures depict him with a crown instead of a lotus hat.

On this brass example, probably made in a Tsang province atelier, he wears a meditation cloak richly incised with a floral pattern.

17th-18th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava, gilt copper alloy with cold gold (and pigments), private collection, photo on Cornette de Saint Cyr .

18th century, Tibet, Padmasambhava with consorts, bronze with copper and silver inlay, private collection, photo on Hardt .

The co-founder of Tibetan Buddhism is sometimes portrayed with his two consorts. Mandarava, a princess from Himachal Pradesh, usually stands to his right. Yeshe Tsogyal, a Tibetan princess, stands on the other side. This set looks like a copy of a 16th century triad published previously (compare here ), with the addition of copper inlay for the lips and silver inlay for the border of his garment.

Tibet, female teachers

18th-19th century, Tibet, Achi Chokyi Drolma on a horse, gilt bronze with pigment, nº 2010.48.8 at the Brooklyn Museum of Art (USA), photo on Himalayan Art Resources.

This 11th-century Tibetan teacher is usually depicted riding a horse and brandishing a drum in her right hand. The above has a third eye and holds a skull cup containing a long-life vase in her left hand.

Undated, Tibet?, Machig Labdron, metal (dark copper alloy), private collection, photo on Himalayan Art Resources 

Machig Labdron, a Tibetan teacher (lama), is identified by the drum in her right hand and the bell in the other. She is adorned with a crown, and bone jewellery. When seated, she wears a lower garment and a beaded belt.

Undated, Tibet, Labelled ‘Machig Labdron’, copper, nº A1121 at the Penn Museum (USA).

The above holds a skull cup in her left hand.

16th century, Tibet, Tsang province, Machig Labdron, metal, private collection, photo on HAR 

16th century, Tibet, Machig Labdron, metal (copper alloy), private collection, photo on HAR 

When standing she has a wisdom dakini appearance, i.e. naked, standing one one foot, wearing a five-leaf crown and bone ornaments.

Undated, Tibet?, Machig Labdron, brass, private collection, photo on Himalayan Art Resources

18th century, Tibet, Yeshe Tsogyal or Mandarava? (labelled ‘Vajra Yogini’), private collection, photo on Michael Backman Ltd .

This female entity is seated at ease, holding a skull cup in her right hand and bestowing refuge (kartari mudra) with her left hand.

Undated (circa 16th century), Tibet, Mandarava, metal (brass with turquoise inlay), private collection, photo on HAR

Mandarava, the princess from Himachal Pradesh who became one of Padmasambhava’s consort, usually stands to his right and holds a skull cup in her left hand while the other bestows refuge (kartari mudra).

17th-18th century, Tibet, Mandarava, (labelled ‘Avalokiteshvara’), gilt metal, private collection, photo on Bonhams

16th century, Tibet, Yeshe Tsogyal, bronze (copper alloy), private collection, photo on HAR .

Padmasambhava’s Tibetan consort, Yeshe Tsogyal, usually stands to his left and holds a skull cup in her right hand, as above, or a water pot.

18th-19th century, Tibet, Mandarava and Yeshe Tsogyal, wood, private collection, photo by Nagel, sale 103 China 2.

Mandarava has a skull cup in her right hand and makes the kartari mudra with the other, she wears an upper and a lower garment, a long scarf, a headband with a large flower and a hat, some earrings and a necklace. Yeshe Tsogyal, who is sometimes regarded as a female buddha, only wears a lower garment and a long scarf. She is adorned with a crown, hoops and a necklace and may have held a skull cup or a vase in her missing hand.

Mongolia, female entities (6)

18th century, Mongolia, Tara, gilt metal (copper alloy with cold gold, pigments and stones), photo on Himalayan Art Resources

Green Tara, seated with a leg pendent, her left foot on a lotus attached to the base, her right hand in the gesture of supreme generosity, the other holding the stem of an open lotus. She wears a scarf over her shoulders and another knotted across her chest, which seems to have been fashionable during the 18th century throughout Mongolia.

17th century, Mongolia, Tara, gilt metal (copper alloy), private collection, nº 43742 on Himalayan Art Resources.

18th century, Mongolia, Tara, metal (gilt copper alloy with turquoise inlay), Dolonnor style, photo on HAR

White Tara, with her legs locked, her left hand in a gesture to bestow refuge, an eye incised on her forehead, the palm of her hands, the sole of her feet. She also wears a scarf and a sash.

18th-19th century, Mongolia, Ushnishavijaya, gilt copper alloy with pigment, private collection, photo by Sotheby’s, Arts d’Asie 10th December 2019 lot 30, Paris.

Ushnishavijaya with three heads, each with three eyes, and six hands, holding an effigy of Amitabha on a lotus, a (missing) arrow, and a visvajra in her right hands, a (missing) bow, a wheel, a (missing) lasso, and a long-life vase in her left hands.

18th century, Mongolia, Ushnishavijaya, gilt copper (cast and repoussé) with coral and turquoise inlay, at the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art in New York (USA), photo on HAR.

The same deity in the Dolonnor style (Inner Mongolia), with detachable accessories and Chinese-style facial features.

Undated (circa 18th century?), Mongolia, private collection, photo on HAR 

A Zanabazar-style sculpture of a female teacher, possibly Mandarava or Yeshe Tsogyal, seated in a relaxed manner, holding a skull cup in her right hand.

18th century, Mongolia, Simhamukha, gilt metal with pigment, private collection, photo on Himalayan Art Resources

The lion-headed dakini tramples a female victim lying on a lotus base. She wields a flaying knife in her right hand and holds a skull cup full of blood in the other, adorned with a five-skull crown, a garland of severed heads, a human hide placed over her shoulders and knotted at the front, princely jewellery inlaid with stones and coral. She wears a tiger skin loin cloth and a scarf with serpentine ends.