Nyima Oser, One of the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava Tibet 18th century Gilt copper alloy
Bon Lama, Rinchen Gyeltsen (1415-1446) Central Tibet 18th century Gilt bronze
Four-faced Linga Nepal 18th - 19th century Silver Repoussé
Ganesha Madhya Pradesh, India 11th century Sandstone
The “Three Silver Brothers” Manjushri – Avalokiteshvara – Vajrapani (left to right) Western Tibet, Puhrang area early 13th century Brass with copper, silver and gilding
Stirrups belonging to the equestrian set of Yuthok Tashi Dhondup Tibetan, Derge ca. 1943–1947 copper alloy, gold
The Buddhist Deities Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi Tibet (by a Newar artist) ca. 15th century mineral pigments and traces of gold on cotton cloth
Vajrabhairava Solitary of Rwa Lotsawa Tradition Western mural painting in Hevajra Chapel, middle floor, Gongkar Chode Monastery, Gongkar County, Lhokha, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1464–1476 Khyentse Chenmo (active 15th century)
Hevajra Northern mural painting in Hevajra Chapel, middle floor, Gongkar Chode Monastery, Gongkar County, Lhokha, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1464–1476 Khyentse Chenmo (active 15th century)
Mandala of Eight Great Bodhisattvas Yulin Cave 25, east wall Middle Tang (781–848)
Pavilion of Raining Flowers (Yuhua Ge 雨花閣) Beijing Qing dynasty
Vimalakirti-nirdesha Sutra (Tibetan Ruler Listening to the Dharma) Mogao Cave 360, east wall, south side; Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China
Sutra Covers with the Eight Buddhist Treasures China Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Yongle period (1403–24) Red lacquer, incised decoration, gold inlay
Cosmic Vishnu (Vishvarupa) Buddha Shakyamuni Mold for clay image (tsatsa) of Vajrapani Bodhisattva Suryabaskara Bodhisattva Kshitigarbha Attendant Figure to Vaishravana Vajra and Bell Bodhisattvas Maitreya and Manjushri in Tushita Pure Realm Maitreya Book cover Stupa Chakrasamvara with Consort Frontispiece from The Great Destroyer of the Thousand Foes (Mahasahasrapramardani) Sutra Manuscript Illuminated Manuscript Page Depicting Four Forms of Mahakala & Vaishravana Green Tara Vasudhara Medicine Buddha Vasudhara, Goddess of Abundance Avalokiteshvara Medicine Buddha Palace (copy of first painting from the set of the Tibetan Medical Paintings from Mentsikhang Lhasa) Vajrayogini Panjaranatha Mahakala Lekden Mahakala Mahakala Vajrabhairava with Consort Vajravetali Buddha Vairochana Vishnu with the King of Snakes, Shesha Flying Naga Shiva Bhairava Arhat Ajita Buddha Amitayus Tsongkapa (1357-1419) Green Tara Manjushri Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara Mahasiddha Avadhutipa Ushnishavijaya Tara central Tibet ca. 1260 distemper on cloth
Chabui (r); album leaf from Album of the Bust Portraits of Yuan Empresses (Yuandai hou banshen xiang shou ce 元代后半身像手冊) probably Daidu (Beijing), China Yuan dynasty (1279–1368) ink and color on silk
Chakrasamvara and the Footprints of Drigungpa Jikten Sumgon (1143–1217) Tibet before 1217 pigments on silk
Changkya Rolpai Dorje China 18th century ink and colors on silk
Deities of the Padmakula Mandala Dunhuang, China period of Tibetan rule (ca. 781–848) pigments on silk
Design for Grand Maitreya Project, work-in-progress near Ulaanbaatar
Detail of Fountain outside Bhaktapur Palace, showing sculpted stone spout Bhaktapur, Nepal 1688
Detail of Morality Tale of Vidura from chapter 76 in the Wish-fulfilling Vine (Bodhisattvavadanakalpalata) Southern mural painting of the original Main Assembly Hall, ground floor, Gongkar Chode Monastery, Gangto Village, Gongkar County, Lhokha, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1464–1476 Khyentse Chenmo (active 15th century)
Detail of Second Tashi Gomang Densatil Monastery, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) erected from 1360 for Drakpa Gyeltsen Pietro Francesco Mele (Italian, born ca. 1924) gelatin silver print, 1948
Detail of tashi gomang Tashichhodzong, Thimphu, Bhutan 17th century wood, brass, silver, gold plating, semi-precious stones, glass beads, clay statues
Detail of Two Arhats and Heshang with a Woman Washing Daikon Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China dated 1660 Tenth Karmapa, Choying Dorje (Tibetan, 1604–1674) ink and pigment on silk
Detail of Two Indian and Four Tibetan Masters central Tibet early 13th century pigments on cloth
Detail of Yongle Handscroll, “Delivering the Soul of Ming Taizu,” at Lingusi, Nanjing, with inscriptions in Chinese, Persian, Tay, Tibetan, and Mongolian China 1407 ink and color on silk
Donor Figure western Nepal/western Tibet 13th–14th century gilt copper
Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon (Durga Mahishasuramardini) Nepal 12th–13th century gilt copper alloy
Elephant-skin drum with stone base inside Longguodian (Hall of Dynastic Prosperity) China Ming dynasty (1368–1644) elephant skin, wood, stone
Fourth Panchen Lobzang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570–1662), with previous incarnations Tsang region, central Tibet mid-17th century Attributed by inscription to Choying Gyatso (act. 17th century) gold thangka; ground mineral pigment on cotton
Frontispiece from the Great Destroyer of the Thousand Foes (Mahasahasrapramardani) Sutra Manuscript Tibet ca. 13th–14th century Ink and pigments on paper
Frontispiece of the Chinese translation of Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita Sutra (Diamond Sutra) Dunhuang, present-day Gansu Province, China 11 May 868 CE woodblock print, ink on paper
Garudasana Vishnu Changu Narayan Temple; Nepal ca. 7th–8th century stone
Green Tara central Tibet ca. 1260s gum tempera, ink, pigments, gold on sized cotton
Green Tara Khara Khoto, Inner Mongolia, China; Western Xia late 12th–13th century silk tapestry with slits (kesi)
Guru Padmasambha, the scholar manifestations of Padmasambhava Lo Gekhar Monastery, Mustang, Nepal mid-17th century papier-mâché
Icon of Five Auspicious Long Life Sisters Bhutan clay
Incense burner with Yongle-period inscription in Chinese, Tibetan, and Sanskrit China 15th century; Yongle reign (1402–1424) marble
Interior view of the “Jung Ho [Ronghe] idol factory” (copper workshop) located near the Yonghegong Monastery, Beijing, China 1930s
Jalamanusha (Merman) Nepal ca. 13th century copper alloy
Jataka of the Bodhisattva Sonam Tob (Story 90); north wall of the ground-floor circumambulatory passage Zhalu Monastery; Tsang District, central Tibet 14th century mineral and vegetal pigments on dry clay wall
Juu Shakyamuni with his pupils made in Dolonnuur, Inner Mongolia, decorated in Buryatia (Federation of Russia) 19th century gilded alloy of silver and other metals, turquoise and corals
Kadampa-style Reliquary Stupa Tibet 13th or 14th century copper alloy
Karmapa with His Footprints central Tibet late 12th–early 13th century pigments on silk
King Bhaskara Deva Varma (12th century) and Woman Donor Wearing Tayo-bizakani Kwa Baha, Patan, Nepal 1804 gilt statue
King of Lijiang, Mu Zeng (1598–1646; r. 1598–1624/46), Official Portrait Lijiang, China Qing dynasty (1644–1911) album leaf, ink and pigment on paper
Lacquered Wood Duomu Pitcher with Gold Floral Designs China 19th–20th century lacquer, wood, gold
Lama Zhang Tangut Xixia 1032–1227 kesi silk tapestry
Life Portrait of the Sixth Zhamar, Garwang Chokyi Wangchuk (1584–1630) Tibet early 17th century (before 1630) silver
Mahasiddha Damarupa of a Lamdre lineage Namgyal Monastery, Mustang, Nepal 16th century
Maitreya Mongolia 1680s Zanabazar (1635–1723) gilt bronze with blue pigment in the hair
Maitreya Mongolia 1680s Zanabazar (1635–1723) gilt bronze with blue pigment in the hair
Major Events of the Buddha’s Life Northeastern India 12th century "Andagu" stone with pigments
Mandala of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in Several Different Aspects: Padmapani, Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara, Chintamanichakra Avalokiteshvara, and Amoghapasha at center Dunhuang, China period of Tibetan rule (ca. 781–848) ink and colors on silk
Mandala of Sarvavid Vairocana (Durgatiparisodhana from the Vajradhatu Mandala Series) Inner Mongolia or Beijing ca. 18th century colors on cloth with cloth mounting
Mandala with the Five Dhyani (Meditation) Buddhas, symbolic of the five cosmic elements, identifiable as Vairochana (center), Amitabha (top), Ratnasambhava (left), Amoghasiddhi (right); and Akshobhya (bottom) Dunhuang, China ca. 851–900 ink on paper
Manjughosha Emperor, Niched hanging shrine panel, Eastern Side Hall, Pavilion of Raining Flowers Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara, and Vajrapani Imperial Workshop, Nanjing or Beijing Yongle period (r. 1403–1424) gilt brass
Manjushri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom Tibet 11th century silver, inlaid with copper, with traces of blue pigment
Manjushri, torma butter sculpture Labrang Monastery, Amdo region, eastern Tibet (Gansu Province, China) 2014 flour, butter, natural pigments
Milarepa (ca. 1028–1111) "Milarepa's Tower," Sekar Gutok, Lhodrak, southern Tibet 1200–1250 color pigments on substrate
Molded Clay Image (Tsatsa) of a Stupa Molded in the Round Toling Monastery, Ngari region, western Tibet 11th–12th century sun-dried clay
Monk’s Cap Ewer (Sengmao ju) Jingdezhen, China Yongle Period (1403–1424); collection of Shah Jahan where it was incised with date 1053 AH (or 1643–1644) porcelain with transparent glaze
Mu Zeng as a Monk (木生白画像) Xitansi Monastery, Chicken Foot Mountain, Yunnan Province, China 17th century pigments on silk
One Hundred and Eight Stupas arranged in a triangular shape on the hill China period (1038–1227) masonry
Open tashi gomang Thimphu, Bhutan 19th–20th century wood, brass, silver, clay statues
Padmapani Lokeshvara Tibet 17th century Attributed to Tenth Karmapa, Choying Dorje (Tibetan, 1604–1674) ivory
Padmasambhava and His Eight Manifestations Tibet 16th century copper alloy
Painted Scroll of Bhimaratha Ritual Hāku Bāhāḥ, Kathmandu, Nepal dated by inscription January 1830 distemper and gold on cloth
Pakpa Lokeshvara Nepal 7th century wood, gold paint
Pakpa Lokeshvara (copy of the original in the Potala Palace, Lhasa) central Tibet 13th–14th century wood with gold and paint
Palden Lhamo, torma butter sculpture Labrang Monastery, Amdo region, eastern Tibet (Gansu Province, China) 2014 flour, butter, natural pigments
Panjaranatha Mahakala Tibet 15th century stone with pigments
Panoramic Map of Mount Wutai Cifu Temple, Wutaishan, China 1846 Monk Lhundrub, engraver of Sanggai Aimag (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) woodblock print on linen, hand colored
Panoramic View of Mount Wutai Mogao Cave 61, Dunhuang, northwestern Gansu Province, China ca. 948 ink and pigments on earthen plaster
Pema Lingpa Kunzangdrak Monastery, Bhutan statue
Pensive Avalokiteshvara Imperial Workshop, Nanjing or Beijing Yongle period (r. 1403–1424) gilt brass
Pensive Avalokiteshvara Gandhara 2nd–3rd century gray schist
Pensive Avalokiteshvara Swat 7th century brass
Pensive Avalokiteshvara on the back of Maitreya Statue Yecheng, Hebei Province 547 bas-relief, white stone
Portrait Sculpture of the Ninth Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje (1555–1603) Central Tibet 1598 Karma Rinchen (act. late 16th century) silver with pigment
Prajnaparamita with Devotees; folio from a Shatasahasrika Prajnaparamita manuscript (The Perfection of Wisdom) Toling Monastery, Ngari region, western Tibet 11th century ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Qubilai Khan; album leaf from Album of the Bust Portraits of Yuan Emperors (Yuandai di banshen xiang ce 元代帝半身像冊) probably Daidu (Beijing), China Yuan dynasty (1279–1368) ink and color on silk
Raktayamari Imperial Workshop, South China Ming Yongle period (r. 1403–1424)
Ratnasambhava central Tibet ca. mid-13th century distemper on cloth
Roll of Mantras for a Prayer Wheel and Its Spindle Tibet ca. 12th–13th century black ink on paper with metal spindle
Sculpted Image of Nyephu (Hephu) Trulku Sangag Gyeltsen (ca. 1600–1661) Neyphu Temple; Paro, Bhutan date unknown painted clay
Seated Bodhisattva China late 13th–14th century porcelain with relief decoration under bluish-white glaze
Seated Buddha Flanked by Maitreya and Avalokiteśvara Palola Shahi Kingdom April 23, 715 brass with silver
Second Jamyang Zhepa (1728–1791), torma butter sculpture Labrang Monastery, Amdo region, eastern Tibet (Gansu Province, China) 2014 flour, butter, natural pigments
Set of Saddle Plates Tibet or China ca. 1400 iron, gold, lapis lazuli, turquoise
Shakyamuni Donated by Dhandeva Shantipura, Svayambhu, Kathmandu, Nepal 15th century
Shakyamuni Flanked by His Main Disciples Lijiang, Yunnan Province 17th century Karmapa workshop ink and color on silk
Shakyamuni, torma butter sculpture Labrang Monastery, Amdo region, eastern Tibet (Gansu Province, China) 2014 flour, butter, natural pigments
Siddhi Lakshmi Nepal 17th century gilt copper alloy
Silver Juu (Tib. Jowo), Main Assembly Hall of Yekhe Juu Höhhot, Inner Mongolia, China 1579 silver and other metals
Standing Bodhisattva with Yongle-period inscription in Chinese, Tibetan, and Sanskrit on the base China 15th century, Yongle period (1403–1424) gilt bronze
Standing Buddha Kashmir late 10th to early 11th century brass with silver and copper inlay
Standing Buddha Shakyamuni Bangemudha Tole, Kathmandu, Nepal 5th–6th century stone
Standing Buddha Shakyamuni Naka Bahi, Patan, Nepal 10th century stone
Standing Buddha Shakyamuni Northern Asoka Stupa, Patan, Nepal ca. 9th century stone
Statue of Amitayus, Dolonnuur style 19th century silver with colors
Statue of Ga Anyen Dampa (ca. 1230–1303) Degonpo Protector Chapel (founded 1284), Kardze, Kham region, eastern Tibet (Ganzi, Sichuan Province, China) 1980s re-creation clay
Statue of Manjushri Efi (efü?) khalkha süme, Shiliin Gol League (formerly in Chakhar), Inner Mongolia mid-18th century gilt copper alloy with lacquer and pigments, inset with gems
Statue of Seated Vairochana, East Temple, Level 5 (Bumpa) of the Gyantse Kumbum Gyantse Kumbum, Tsang region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1427–1440 gilded copper
Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha Ravangla, Sikkim, India 2013 concrete base with gilded bronze body
Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India 2015 concrete base with gilded bronze body
Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha (Buddha Dordenma) Thimphu, Bhutan 2015 concrete base with gilded bronze body
Statue of Shiva Solophok Hill, Namchi, Sikkim, India 2011 concrete
Statue of Ten Thousand Knives Padmasambhava, said to be made of melted knives offered by the local population in the aftermath of a murder Khamar Monastery, Dornogovi Province, Mongolia First half of 19th century, crown made in 2005 Two artisans from the Chinese metal workshops of Dolonnuur and local smiths following the instructions of the great reincarnate lama Danzin-Rabjai (1804–1856)
Statue of the bodhisattva Manjushri with Yongle reign inscription in Chinese on the lotus base China 15th century; Yongle reign (1402–1424) gilt brass, lost-wax casting
Statue of White Tara Dolonnuur, Inner Mongolia 18th or 19th century gilded bronze
Stone carving of twenty-one buddhas and two bodhisattvas Manthal village of Skardu, Pakistan ca. late 8th century
Stone relief on a wall of Qianlong’s underground tomb Yuling 裕陵 Mausoleum, Eastern Tombs
Subhasitaratnanidhi (Treasury of Good Sayings) Mongolian translation in phags pa (square script) Khocho 13th–14th century woodblock print on paper
Tara Tibet 17th century Atelier of Tenth Karmapa, Choying Dorje (Tibetan, 1604–1674) or later followers brass with pigments
The Dakini Nairatmya western Nepal/western Tibet 1300–1325 gilt copper
The Eight Great Events of the Buddha’s Life Tibet ca. 13th century pigments on cloth
The Five Tathagata, or Cosmic Buddhas, Forehead Ornament for a Deity Newari, for the Nepal or Tibet market 17th–19th century gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, garnet, lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise
The Great Stupa Alchi, Ladakh, India ca. 1220 or later
The Ninth Karmapa (left) and the Sixth Zhamar (right), editor of the Jang (Lijiang) Kangyur, frontispiece of the catalog (karchak) by the Sixth Zhamar, vol. 109 of the Jang Satham (Lijiang) edition of the Tibetan Kangyur, folio 1a Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China 1621 ink on paper
The North Fort at Taku, China, 1860 North Fort at Taku, China 1860 Felice Beato (British, 1832–1909) albumen print
Tsangnyon Heruka (1452–1507) Tibet 16th century gilt metalwork with semiprecious stone inlay
Two Stirrups Mongolian 16th–17th century iron, gold, silver
Unidentified Deity Seated on a Cow (Yama?) Tibet 17th century Attributed by inscription to Tenth Karmapa, Choying Dorje (Tibetan, 1604–1674) copper with traces of gilding
Uninscribed representation of Lowo Khenchen, identified on the basis of his distinct physical features and the workmanship Lo (Mustang) 16th century bronze with silver and red copper inlays
Ushnishavijaya Nalanda, Bihar, India ca. 11th–12th century stone
Vairochana Chokhor or Konchosum Lhakhang, Bumthang, Bhutan date unknown painted clay
Vairochana and the Eight Bodhisattvas Markham, Tibet (present-day TAR, China)
Vairochana of the Glacier Lake Jowo chapel, Jokhang Temple; Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) clay with pigments and matte gold
Vajracharya Priest’s Crown Nepal dated 1145 copper, gold, lapis lazuli
Vajradhatu (Diamond Realm) Mandala central Tibet 14th century distemper and gold on cloth; 36×29½ in. (91.4 × 74.9 cm); The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Lent by The Kronos Collections
Vajrapani Mongolia late 19th century Tsend, Tavkhai Bor, Danjin, Baldangombo, and Khasgombo appliqué, embroidery
Vasudhara, Goddess of Abundance Nepal dated 1082 gilt copper with semiprecious stones and traces of vermilion
View of Putuo Zongcheng Temple Chengde, China 1767–1771
Virupa China Yongle period (1402–1424) gilt-copper alloy
Virupaksa, the guardian of the West, one of the Four Guardian Kings of the four directions of the universe Tibet or North China 15th century copper gold and semiprecious stones (lost-wax method)
Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara, with Xuanzang, a Monkey-Headed Protector, and a White Horse Cave 2 of East Thousand-Buddha Grottoes; Tangut Kingdom (Xixia) (present-day Guazhou, Gansu Province, China) ca. 12th–13th century
White Stupa, known as Precious Stupa of Great Compassion and Longevity, and its surroundings Great Precious Stupa Cloister Monastery; Mount Wutai, Shanxi Province, China 1301, renovated in 1407 masonry
Xijindu Stupa Gate Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province dated 1311
Yamantaka Palace Mandala Potala Palace, Lolang Lhakhang, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet 1751 gilt brass repoussé on wooden armature, with precious stone and other inlays
Zhenjue Temple, the Five Pagoda Temple Beijing, China 1473
“Long Live the Emperor” Tablet Longguodian (Hall of Dynastic Prospertity), Quantsi; Drotsang, Tsongka, Amdo region, eastern Tibet (present-day Ledu county, Qinghai Province, China) 1427 nanmu wood, lacquer, and stone
“Cloud Faced” Black-Cloaked Mahakala Tibet 16th century either painted or inscribed by the Eighth Karmapa (1507–1554) ink and gold line on cloth
A Case of Tibetan Kangyur Nanjing, Imperial Workshop 1410 (eighth year of Yongle reign) paper, woodblock printing
A large torma (dough-and-butter sculpture) representing Tsochok Khagying and his consort, standing on an altar in front of a clay image of the same pair of divinities Lubrak Village, Mustang District, Nepal
Achala Tangut Xixia, excavated from Kara Khoto 13th century pigments on cotton
Amitabha central Tibet ca. mid-13th century distemper on cloth
Amitayus, torma butter sculpture Labrang Monastery, Amdo region, eastern Tibet (Gansu Province, China) 2014 flour, butter, natural pigments
Amoghasiddhi central Tibet ca. mid-13th century distemper on cloth
Appliqué Cloth Thangka of Maitreya Gyantse 1437–1439 based on sketch of Sonam Peljor colored silk embroidered on silk
Arhat Ajita China Yongle period (1402–1424) mineral pigments on silk
Arhat, possibly Vanavasa Imperial Workshop, Nanjing or Beijing Yongle period (r. 1403–1424) ink, pigments, and gold on silk
Avalokiteshvara Kashmir early 11th century brass or metal alloy with copper and silver inlay
Avalokiteshvara Yatse Kingdom (Khasa Malla Kingdom), western Nepal/western Tibet ca. 13th–14th century gilt-copper alloy
Avalokiteshvara seated in the Maharajajila posture China ca. 10th–13th century limestone
Avalokiteshvara, after Situ’s set of Eight Great Bodhisattvas Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century pigments on cotton
Avalokiteshvara, torma butter sculpture Labrang Monastery, Amdo region, eastern Tibet (Gansu Province, China) 2014 flour, butter, natural pigments
Avalokiteshvara, traced from a composition by Konchok Pende of E (from Situ’s set of Eight Great Bodhisattvas) Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century pigments on cloth
Banquet Set with Ewer, Decanter, and Plate Tibet Yarlung dynasty, 600–800 hammered gold, turquoise
Boddhisattva Avalokiteshvara Nepal 6th–7th century wood, white gesso, polychrome paint
Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara/Padmapani Arabkhanchina; Swat Kingdom (present-day Swat District, Pakistan) 7th–8th century
Buddha Kasyapa, Buddha Shakyamuni, and Maitreya (the Buddhas of the Past, Present, and Future) Phurdrup Monastery, Bhutan ca. 19th century Attributed to a sculptor of the Hephu tradition painted clay
Buddha Shakyamuni Rajarajeshvari Ghat, Pashupatinatha, Kathmandu, Nepal ca. 10th century
Buddha Shakyamuni Bhinche Baha, Patan, Nepal 8th–9th century
Buddha Shakyamuni, central painting from a set of seven paintings Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China dated 1660 Tenth Karmapa, Choying Dorje (Tibetan, 1604–1674)
Buddha Vairochana Bimda Temple; near Jyekundo (present-day Qinghai Province, China) 806 stone with painted and textile decoration
Central Buddha Sculpture Khewang Lhakhang, Phobjikha, Bhutan date unknown painted clay
Project Himalayan Art
