Deity and consort locked in embrace, holding spiritual implements, surrounded by deity portraits

Drenpa Namkha (ca. 8th century)

Location
Amdo Province, Eastern Tibet
Date
19th century
Material
Pigments on cloth
Dimensions
46 1/4 × 33 3/8 in. (estimated)
Collection
Rubin Museum of Art, C2005.4.8
Object Essay

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Gura Sharkha, Minyak, Kham region, eastern Tibet dated 1655

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Black and white photograph of three-story temple with broad base, pagoda roofs, and ornate balustrades and finials

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Mottled sepia textile featuring angled footprints standing astride deity seated upon lotus amid floral motifs

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Two gilded sculptures depicting king and female figure kneel with hands in prayer at chests

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Tall, cylindrical, mahogany-colored pitcher featuring diminutive spout and golden floral motifs covering vessel body

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Teacher dressed in orange robes and headdress seated at center of mountain landscape, surrounded by portraits

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Lama seated on throne with vajra in left hand, suspended above mountainous landscape, surrounded by portraits

Lama Chogyur Lingpa (1829–1870)

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century
Monk wearing saffron and red robes, hands posed in mudras, seated on lotus pedestal surrounded by miniature portraits

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Wind instrument made from human leg bone; shaft covered in copper sheath, joint wrapped with natural material

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Tibet 18th–19th century
Tarnished, gilded relief sculpture depicting rider on horseback before background featuring figures in miniature

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Black and white photograph of four people, one with umbrella, gathering around camera on tripod

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Black and white photograph of people inspecting collection of wool bales floating on water at shoreline

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Armored men mounted on horseback, carrying spears and standards, assemble at base of mountain range

Lhasa, die große Neujahrsparade (Lhasa, the great New Year’s parade)

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Silver statuette depicting seated figure with left hand posed in mudra, right hand holding implement

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Mandala mounted on blue and gold textile border featuring deity portraits at bottom and background landscape

Mandala of Sarvavid Vairocana (Durgatiparisodhana from the Vajradhatu Mandala Series)

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Sacred painting composed of geometric forms adorned with symbolic motifs; deep-red with accents in green, blue, yellow, and white

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Painting depicting deity seated before ornate building, flanked by two framed sets of Chinese characters

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Silver statuette of seated, crowned Bodhisattva, left arm raising sword, with sash billowing about shoulders

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Line drawing on rectangular folio depicting nine lozenge-shaped objects above vertical lines of text

Manuscript folio of illustrated instructions for the creation of an unidentified do effigy from a combination of namkhas

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Mongolia 19th century
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Mongolia late 19th century
Figure seated before blue nimbus, flanked by attendants and animals, below three scenes depicted amongst clouds

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Tibet 17th century
Painting mounted on brocade border depicting seated figure surrounded by small portraits against mountain landscape

Medical Lineage Holders, Painting 80 of the Tibetan Medical Paintings, Lhasa Set

Lhasa, central Tibet early 20th century
Water-damaged mural depicting Yogi wearing white robe, seated with hands posed in mudras

Milarepa (ca. 1028–1111)

"Milarepa's Tower," Sekar Gutok, Lhodrak, southern Tibet 1200–1250
Close view of light-gray earthenware model of stupa featuring clearly demarcated staircases and moldings

Molded Clay Image (Tsatsa) of a Stupa Molded in the Round

Toling Monastery, Ngari region, western Tibet 11th–12th century
Well-defined stupa featuring tiered base and conical tower surrounded by lines of Tibetan text

Molded Clay Image (Tsatsa) of the “Descent from Heaven”

Guge, Ngari region, western Tibet 11th–12th century
Silver pitcher with crown-shaped rim and golden decoration at base and neck; features dragon handle

Monk’s Cap Silver Pitcher

Tibet 19th century
Black and white photograph of monks carrying parasols, billowing in wind, at base of hilltop palace

Monks on the “Golden Procession”

Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet ca. 1936–1950
Three-dimensional golden mandala in the form of palace situated atop four cylinders of decreasing diameter

Mount Meru Palace Mandala

Yachengar Monastery, Kham region, eastern Tibet (present-day Sichuan Province)
Mural depicting wrathful deity with red skin wearing animal and human pelts, standing before flames

Mural of Hayagriva

Assembly Hall, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996
Mural depicting seated Guru wearing resplendent robes in blue, saffron patchwork, and red-and-gold brocade

Mural of Padmasambhava

Assembly Hall, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996
Mural depicting oracle outlined in flames wearing gold headdress, red and gold robe, and cascading ribbons

Mural of the Nechung Oracle Shakya Yarpel (fl. 1856–1900)

Assembly Hall, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996
Mural depicting blue-skinned wrathful deity and his consort locked in embrace; both wear skull crowns

Mural of Yamantaka, one of the Eight Sadhana Teaching Deities

Assembly Hall, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996
Mural depicting serpents and three flayed human skins painted to appear to hang from blue timber rafters

Murals of Human Skins

Courtyard, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996
Mural depicting fearsome deity and attendants outlined in flames traveling through green landscape

Murals of Pehar’s Retinue

Courtyard, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996
Monumental porch featuring blue timbered ceiling and red columns covering two large murals flanking ornate portal

Murals of the Red and Black Butchers

Western Entrance, Nechung Monastery, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1900, restored ca. 1996
Two philosopher monks seated on water-bound platform underneath vaporous cloud leading to deity portrait

Nagarjuna and Aryadeva, after Situ’s set of The Six Ornaments and Two Excellent Ones

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century
Figure dressed in blue robe decorated with fearsome face leans toward white religious implement decorated with yarn lozenges

Namra Tseku, detail of thangka

Tibet
Painting depicting nine deities hovering in row above riders assembled on horseback in green landscape

Nine Deity Offering

Mongolia 19th century
Two scenes: at top, Buddha flanked by attendants; at bottom, figures in dynamic poses with text at top left

Nineteenth-Century Copy of the Paubha Commemorating the Death of Pandita Vanaratna (1384–1468)

Patan, Nepal 1862
Red-robed lama sits with hands posed in mudras in natural landscape amidst deities and attendants

Ninth Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje (1555–1603)

Central Tibet late 16th century
Red-colored religious implement in the form of tiered building with doors opened to reveal dozens of smaller doors opened to reveal portraits

Open tashi gomang

Thimphu, Bhutan 19th–20th century
Three-quarter profile view of ivory statuette depicting Bodhisattva wearing finely articulated dhoti and accessories

Padmapani Lokeshvara

Tibet 17th century
Copper sculpture featuring open, almond-shaped nimbus supporting seated holy man surrounded by twelve smaller figures

Padmasambhava and His Eight Manifestations

Tibet 16th century
Painting in acid tones depicting white chaitya situated in mountain landscape surrounded by irregular grid of portraits

Painted Scroll of Bhimaratha Ritual

Hāku Bāhāḥ, Kathmandu, Nepal dated by inscription January 1830
Dusky painting depicting stupa structure against landscape and registers of scenes and deity portraits

Painted Scroll of Laksha Chaitya Ritual

Kathmandu, Nepal dated by inscription January 1808
Deity dances upon lotus pedestal, beneath deity portraits, while raising drum in left hand

Painting of Machik Labdron (1055–1153)

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century
Painting depicting bird’s-eye view of prominent palace, temples, and monasteries in green mountain valley

Painting of Temples and Monasteries of Lhasa

Kham region, eastern Tibet 1900–1920
Golden statuette of crowned deity with left palm facing viewer and right hand on hip

Pakpa Lokeshvara (copy of the original in the Potala Palace, Lhasa)

central Tibet 13th–14th century
Polished brown stone sculpture with gold and red pigment depicting grimacing deity before nimbus of flames

Panjaranatha Mahakala

Tibet 15th century
Fearsome deity bearing crown of skulls standing before smoldering nimbus of flames surrounded by floating deity portraits

Panjarnatha Mahakala

Tibet 18th century
Beige, red, and green mural depicting various buildings and features of mountainous landscape; Chinese and Tibetan text at top

Panoramic Map of Mount Wutai

Cifu Temple, Wutaishan, China 1846
Mother, father, and son, all dressed in sumptuous brocades, pose for photograph in grove of trees

Phunkhang Yabshi Kung, his wife and son

Tibet 1948
Enlightened teacher holds implement in hands at chest; flanked by attendants and surrounded by portrait border

Portrait of Vanaratna (1384–1468)

central Tibet 15th century
Golden-faced silver statuette depicting seated lama with left hand raised in mudra wearing finely modeled robe

Portrait Sculpture of the Ninth Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje (1555–1603)

Central Tibet 1598
Rectangular page featuring lines of Tibetan script and illumination depicting deity seated above offerings and kneeling figures

Prajnaparamita with Devotees; folio from a Shatasahasrika Prajnaparamita manuscript (The Perfection of Wisdom)

Toling Monastery, Ngari region, western Tibet 11th century
Loosely arranged string of turquoise beads with carved bone centerpiece and five dark-blue tassels

Prayer Beads (trengwa)

Tibet 19th century
Lama seated on throne with orange cloud-motif backrest amidst portraits of Buddha, wrathful deities, and lamas

Sixth Panchen Lobzang Pelden Yeshe (1738–1780), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century
Monarch encircled by fluttering scarves sits in forecourt of magnificent building and addresses throng of people

Manjushriyashas (Jampel Drak), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century
Bearded philosopher sits on riverside porch and recoils from grey-skinned figure at right

Bhaviveka (Lekden Je, ca. 500–ca. 578), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century
Monk in brilliant orange robe with serpent at left shoulder gestures with left hand against menacing figures at left

Abhayakaragupta (Jigme Jungne Bapa, d. 1125), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century
Translator wearing sumptuous orange robe sits before pupils at their books beneath towering mountain range

Go Lotsawa Khukpa Lhetse (11th century), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century
Monk seated on blue throne extends right hand to grey-skinned figure at bottom right

Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyeltsen (1182–1251), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century
Disciple in tremulous saffron robe inclines head and extends right hand towards monstrous deity at right

Yungton Dorje Pel (1284–1365), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century
Lama wearing saffron patchwork robe, holding white prayer scarf, gazes at table adorned with implements and blossoms

[First Panchen] Khedrubje Gelek Pelzang (1385–1438), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century
Lama wearing resplendent saffron robe extends right hand in mudra towards wrathful deity at bottom right

[Second Panchen] Sonam Choklang (1439–1504), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century
Monk seated at bank of rushing river extends right hand to serpent deities swimming in water

Subhuti (Rabjor), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century
Lama seated on throne upholstered with red-and-gold brocade above two wrathful deities beneath three portraits

Fourth Panchen Lobzang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1567–1662), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century
Lama wearing pointed headdress sits before group of attendants beside riverbank in mountain landscape

[Third Panchen] Wensapa Lobzang Dondrub (1505–1566), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century
Lama enthroned outside of building complex on mountain spur, surrounded by deity and lama portraits

Fifth Panchen Lobzang Yeshe (1663–1737), one of thirteen thangkas copied from Nartang xylographic designs

Tibet 19th century
Astrological chart featuring circle surrounded by portraits in top half, circle surrounded by text and scenes in bottom half

Protective Astrological Chart

Tibet late 18th or early 19th century
Four lines of text inscribed in gold on blue background, enclosed in gold frame, positioned underneath thangka

Qianlong as Manjushri-Chakravartin (brought to Lhasa in 1757–1758 at the death of the Seventh Dalai Lama) in front a Qing imperial tablet (brought in 1722 during the enthronement of the Seventh Dalai Lama)

Hall of Victory over Three Realms, Red Palace of the Potala, Lhasa, Tibet
Crowned Buddha seated on lotus throne, surrounded by attendants and deities arranged in registers

Ratnasambhava

central Tibet ca. mid-13th century
Medium view under blue sky of low-slung rust-red temple building featuring stupas at corners of roof

Red Temple (Dukhang)

Toling, western Tibet founded 996
Beaded ritual garment in lattice pattern featuring belt with pointed oblong forms decorated with portraits

Ritual Bone Apron

Tibet/Nepal 18th–19th century
Carving on cracked stone of three stacked rectangles of decreasing width topped by roughly circular form

Rock Carving (petroglyph) of a Ritual Stepped Structure

Kabren Pungri, Rutok, western Tibet Protohistoric period (ca. 100–600 CE)
Photograph of faded image depicting deities painted on white material applied to face of craggy rock

Rock Painting (no longer extant)

Taktsang, Upper Paro Valley, western Bhutan ca. 14th–15th century
Form of a bird outlined in barely suggested rust-red pigment on rough white rock

Rock Painting of a Bird

Che Do, Lake Namtso, Tibet Protohistoric or Early Historic period (ca. 600–1000 CE)
Natural and symbolic motifs painted in red on weathered orange rock face

Rock paintings in red ocher of a conjoined sun and moon, two sunbursts, a tree, and two swastikas

Chukargyam, Rutok, Tibet Iron Age (ca. 700–100 BCE) or Protohistoric period (ca. 100–600 CE)
Tightly rolled scroll of brown paper with Tibetan text wrapped around top quarter of tarnished silver spindle

Roll of Mantras for a Prayer Wheel and Its Spindle

Tibet ca. 12th–13th century
Monk plays stringed instrument while seated on throne featuring back- and armrests in the form of dragons

Saint Drukpa Kunley, great-grandfather of Desi Tenzin Rabgye

second floor, Desi Zimkhang, Tango Monastery 17th century (1688/90)
Watercolor in beige and black depicting enthroned Buddha holding hands in mudras at chest

Sarnath Buddha

India ca. 1940

Sarvavid Vairochana Mandala

Tibet 17th century
Richly colored deities in garden setting surrounded by various figures and scenes in miniature

Scenes from the Early Life of the Buddha

western Tibet or western Nepal 14th century
Orange leather saddle featuring gold filigree and turquoise decoration at pommel

Set of Saddle Plates

Tibet or China ca. 1400
Lama seated before altar and attendants at bottom right; text against brown background at top left

Situ Panchen as Patron of The Wish-Granting Vine Series of One Hundred and Eight Morality Tales, twenty-third painting after Situ’s set

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century
Three panels of paper bearing florid, sprawling illustrations outlined in red ink; eight figures in scrollwork roundels at top

Sketches of Floral Patterns and Mythological Creatures, pages from a sketchbook in a folding book (thyasaphu) format

Tibet (and Nepal?) 1435
Side view of cup featuring band of silver decoration depicting animals amongst floral motifs and line of skulls

Skull Cup with Base

Tibet 18th–20th century
Pair of hand- and footprints frame holy man seated against background featuring deity portraits and vegetation

Songtsen Gampo with Handprints and Footprints

Tibet late 17th century
Watercolor depicting two men washing themselves and woman carrying vessel on head, followed by infant

Spring Morning

India ca. 1940
Silver statue depicting seated, crowned Buddha holding small vase in hands positioned in lap

Statue of Amitayus, Dolonnuur style

19th century
View from below of upper body of monumental golden Buddha before densely wrought open nimbus

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
Silver- and gold-colored statue depicting seated Guru; situated in ornately carved wooden cabinet

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
Bronze-colored statue depicting seated Bodhisattva with elongated earlobes and fluttering sash at elbows

Statue of White Tara

Dolonnuur, Inner Mongolia 18th or 19th century
Silver- and brass-colored sculpture depicting bodhisattva, holding red blossoms, seated with left foot extended

Tara

Tibet 17th century
Tattered painting on textile depicting extravagant architectural structure covered in deity portraits amidst green landscape

Thangka of Kongpo Bonri, southeast Tibet, represented as the citadel of the tantric divinity

Tsochok Khagying, Nyingtri, Kongpo, Tibet 18th century?
Mural program featuring mandala above lintel and two fearsome deities before fiery nimbuses flanking doorway

The Akshobya Mandala and White and Blue Achala

Segoma Lhakhang, Zhalu Monastery; Tsang region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) 14th century
Rectangular, turmeric-yellow page featuring Tibetan text and three illuminations in color depicting fantastical creatures and figures

The Black Treasury Manuscript, Dream of the Four Pillars

Tibet ca. 1475
Sepia textile featuring two faint footprints interspersed with portraits of deities bearing orange nimbuses

The Buddha’s Footprints and Incarnations of Avalokiteshvara

Tibet 10–11th century
Gilded sculpture featuring dynamically posed deity standing atop supine figure before open fiery nimbus

The Dakini Nairatmya

western Nepal/western Tibet 1300–1325
Painting in crimson-red and burnt orange depicting seated Buddha surrounded by profusion of scenes and figures arranged in five registers

The Eight Great Events of the Buddha’s Life

Tibet ca. 13th century
Two handprints and two footprints frame Dalai Lama seated above crowd of attendants and wrathful deity

The Fifth Dalai Lama, with Hand- and Footprints

Tibet late 17th century
Mural depicting five Buddhas with yellow, blue, white, red, and green skin enthroned among deity portraits

The Five Jina Buddhas

Segoma Lhakhang, Zhalu Monastery; Tsang region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) 14th century
Mixed media artwork composed of photograph of Lama superimposed onto painting featuring deity portraits and landscape

The Ninth Panchen Lama

hanging on a pillar in Lhakhang, Lukhil Monastery, Likir Village, Ladakh, India
Black and white photograph of destroyed military building with human bodies lying amidst rubble

The North Fort at Taku, China, 1860

North Fort at Taku, China 1860
Painting depicting hilltop palace surrounded by prominent building complexes and settlements situated in green landscape

The Potala and the Principal Monuments of Central Tibet

Tibet 19th century
Buddha seated in meditation amidst landscape replete with buildings, vegetation, and figures enacting various scenes

The Previous Lives of Buddha Shakyamuni

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century
Mountainous landscape featuring multiple scenes and buildings nestled within valleys and on riverbanks

The Wish-Granting Vine Series of One Hundred and Eight Morality Tales, twenty-first painting after Situ’s set

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century
Profusely decorated, brightly colored mandala featuring portraits in roundels and in arches at top and bottom

Thirteen-Deity Mandala of Jnanadakini

central Tibet 1375–1380
Painting, mounted on blue brocade featuring dragon motif, depicting lama seated before attendants in mountain landscape

Thirteenth Karmapa, Dudul Dorje (1733–1797), from a Pelpung set of Masters of the Combined Kagyu Lineages

Kham region, eastern Tibet ca. 1760s
Mandala in jewel tones featuring richly ornamented green field between inner square and outer circles

Thirty-Two-Deity Mandala of Aksobhyavajra, the second painting of the Vajravali set commissioned in memory of Lama Dampa

central Tibet, Sakya tradition 1375–1380

Three Saddle Carpets, from a set of twenty-four woven in the 1930s for the cavalry of Yabzhi Punkhang

Central Tibet 1920–1930
Golden statue depicting “religious madman” featuring paunchy midsection, pointed fiery nimbus, and spiritual implements in hands

Tsangnyon Heruka (1452–1507)

Tibet 16th century
Two stamped clay discs arranged on beige rock: at left, one stupa amid text; at right, five stupas in two rows

Tsatsa Representing the Stupa with Many Doors

Western Tibet ca. 11th century
Painting mounted on green and gold damask depicting Buddha surrounded by full-body nimbus and crowd of attendants

Turning the Wheel of the Dharma, eighth painting from a set of nine depicting the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha

Tibet 17th century
Black and white photograph of covered stone bridge featuring tiled, pitched roof and finials

Turquoise Bridge

Lhasa 1951
Copper and gold sculpture depicting deity with curly hair and protruding belly seated on horned cow

Unidentified Deity Seated on a Cow (Yama?)

Tibet 17th century
Illustration depicting six rows of bowls containing differently colored liquids above three circular, multi-colored diagrams

Urine Analysis, Painting 64 of the Tibetan Medical Paintings, Ulan Ude Set

Lhasa, central Tibet early 20th-century copy of original from ca. 1687–1697
Wide view of monumental stone relief carved into excavated base of large rock

Vairochana and the Eight Bodhisattvas

Markham, Tibet (present-day TAR, China)
View from below of monumental Buddha seated in cross-legged position with photograph in lap

Vairochana of the Glacier Lake

Jowo chapel, Jokhang Temple; Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China)
Buddha and female companion seated on double lotus throne, surrounded by deities in red nimbuses

Vajradhara and Consort

Nepal 1488
Four portraits arranged in square depicting figures seated on lotus pedestals with nimbuses of red and gold

Vajradhara, Nairatmya, and Mahasiddhas Virupa and Kanha

central Tibet ca. 1450
Mandala featuring yellow, red, green, and blue quadrants; arched registers at top and bottom feature miniature seated figures

Vajradhatu (Diamond Realm) Mandala

central Tibet 14th century
Wrathful deity wearing tiger pelt at waist stands with vajra held in raised left arm

Vajrapani

Mongolia late 19th century
Faded wall painting in browns and grays of deity seated on ornamental pedestal flanked by attendants

Vasudhara and Entourage

Zhelre Lhakhang, Jokhang Temple; Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) 11th century
Sacred composition of concentric circles and squares featuring deity at center surrounded by multitude of figures and symbols

Vasudhara Mandala

Nepal dated 1777 (Samvat 897)

Victory over Mara

Mongolia? 19th century
Golden deity statue wearing flowing robe inlaid with blue stones holding votive object in left hand

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
Two splendidly dressed men converse underneath trees, clouds, and roundels featuring seated deities

Wall painting of Gushri Khan and the Fifth Dalai Lama’s regent

Lhasa, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China)
Fearsome white-skinned deity with three eyes and tiger pelt stands in dynamic pose before fiery nimbus

White Achala

Segoma Lhakhang, Zhalu Monastery; Tsang region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) 14th century
Wrathful deity locked in embrace with consort above mountain landscape surrounded by six deity portraits

White Chakrasamvara, from Situ’s set of The Twenty-Seven Tantric Deities

Kham region, eastern Tibet ca. 18th century
Copper-colored device consisting of cylinder and four cup-shaped objects on their sides mounted on lower third of spindle

Wind-Powered Prayer Wheel (mani lung khor)

Tibet before 1920
Mixed media piece in gray depicting 12-paned window with outline of scarf in white at top

Window No. 1

Tolung, Lhasa 2020
Rectangular ink-stained woodblock incised with dense text and image; lozenge-shaped handle at top

Woodblock for Printing Prayer Flags with Print

Himalayan region 15th–19th century
Three-dimensional mandala in the form of golden pagoda-roofed palace decorated with colorful inset stones

Yamantaka Palace Mandala

Potala Palace, Lolang Lhakhang, Lhasa, U region, central Tibet 1751
Lama wearing saffron robe enthroned amidst green mountain landscape, surrounded by deity and lama portraits

Zhabdrung Rinpoche Ngawang Namgyel (1594–1651?)

second-floor hallway, Tango Monastery 17th century (1688/90)
Painting in purples and blues depicting jagged mountain spur in foreground and snowcapped peak in background

对面的山 [Opposing Mountains], 1986

Line drawing depicting dynamically posed wrathful deity on tea-brown textile with brocade border

“Cloud Faced” Black-Cloaked Mahakala

Tibet 16th century
Black and white photograph of soccer team posing in three rows before mountain range

“Lhasa United”

October 20, 1936
Circular multimedia piece in brown, embedded with small objects, divided into quarters

2020

Lhasa 2020
Red, yellow, and black sculpture composed of disc atop tiered structure standing before sculpture depicting two embracing deities

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
Blue-skinned deity kneeling in dynamic pose before firey nimbus; register at bottom features ritual implements and supplicants

Achala

Tangut Xixia, excavated from Kara Khoto 13th century
Crowned Buddha seated on lotus throne, surrounded by attendants and deities arranged in registers

Amitabha

central Tibet ca. mid-13th century
Green-skinned Buddha seated on throne, surrounded by attendants and deities arranged in registers

Amoghasiddhi

central Tibet ca. mid-13th century
Six figures depicting different aspects of human anatomy; four figures overlaid with grid pattern

Anatomy, Painting 49 of the Tibetan Medical Paintings, Ulan Ude Set

Lhasa, central Tibet early 20th century copy of original from ca. 1687–1697
Sumptuously attired disciple accompanied by lion and attendant sits before body of water in mountain landscape

Arhat Ajita

China Yongle period (1402–1424)
Gilded bodhisattva seated on lotus base with two hands clasped at chest, two hands raised at sides

Avalokiteshvara

Yatse Kingdom (Khasa Malla Kingdom), western Nepal/western Tibet ca. 13th–14th century
Bodhisattva flanked by attendants seated before pagoda-roofed structure emerging from forested white-stone mound

Avalokiteshvara in His Potala Pure Land

Tibet late 18th–early 19th century
Three-faced, four-armed Bodhisattva wearing red dhoti and delicate green sash sits before rainbow nimbus

Avalokiteshvara-Amoghapasha

Segoma Lhakhang, Zhalu Monastery; Tsang region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) 14th century
Bodhisattva dressed in sumptuous dhoti holds blossom in right hand while seated on rocky outcropping

Avalokiteshvara, after Situ’s set of Eight Great Bodhisattvas

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century
Bodhisattva dressed in sumptuous dhoti holds blossom in right hand while seated on rocky outcropping

Avalokiteshvara, traced from a composition by Konchok Pende of E (from Situ’s set of Eight Great Bodhisattvas)

Kham region, eastern Tibet 19th century
Three golden dinnerware pieces (ewer, plate, decanter) decorated with birds set in turquoise stones

Banquet Set with Ewer, Decanter, and Plate

Tibet Yarlung dynasty, 600–800
Black and white photograph of domed tent with ladder propped against side; pagoda in background

Baruun Örgöö, Abatai Khan’s Yurt in Yekhe Khüriye

Yekhe Khüriye, Mongolia late 19th century
Fearsome deity wearing belt of human heads tramples horses and riders upon pedestal of flames

Begtse (Jamsran)

Mongolia late 19th century
Jewel-toned deities, ribbons, and clouds swirl around richly-attired woman with hand on hip towering over landscape.

Birth of Buddha

Tibet 19th century
Black and yellow painting mounted on golden brocade depicting fearsome deity dressed in swirling cloak

Black Cloak Mahakala

Kham Province, eastern Tibet 18th century
Black and white photograph of boy at left sitting behind mortar and pestle, and woman at right sitting at loom

Boy grinding indigo and woman weaving a carpet, Pen-jor Lhun-po, near Gyang-tse

Drongtse, Palha family estate near Gyantse, Tsang region, central Tibet 1933–1934
Three golden Buddhas wearing saffron and red cloaks seated before mandorlas in niche decorated with murals

Buddha Kasyapa, Buddha Shakyamuni, and Maitreya (the Buddhas of the Past, Present, and Future)

Phurdrup Monastery, Bhutan ca. 19th century
Painting on silk depicting seated Buddha flanked by attendants hovering above scene featuring three figures

Buddha Shakyamuni and Two Disciples

Tibet 15th century
Dusky brown painting depicting seated Buddha featuring text and deity portraits above, attendants assembled below

Buddha Shakyamuni, central painting from a set of seven paintings

Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China dated 1660
Tarnished golden-silver plaque depicting human/bird deity playing stringed instrument with outstretched wings

Celestial Musician (Kinnara) Playing a Pipa (Lute)

Tibetan Empire 608–866