Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha

Nyima Oser, One of the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava

Tibet 18th century

Golden statuette depicting lama seated on lotus pedestal with hands in mudras at chest

Bon Lama, Rinchen Gyeltsen (1415-1446)

Central Tibet 18th century

Silver cylindrical object with faces of four figures in relief at cardinal points

Four-faced Linga

Nepal 18th - 19th century

Sandstone relief sculpture depicting elephant-headed god dancing and holding implements in multiple hands

Ganesha

Madhya Pradesh, India 11th century

The "Three Silver Brothers" Manjushri - Avalokiteshvara - Vajrapani (left to right)

Western Tibet, Puhrang area early 13th century

Pema Gyelpo, One of the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava

Eastern Tibet early 20th century

Stirrups belonging to the equestrian set of Yuthok Tashi Dhondup

Tibetan, Derge ca. 1943–1947

Scores of figures dressed in red form long, snaking line; group of blue-robed figures stands at left

Maitreya Procession at Lama-yin Gegeen-ü Khüriye

Mongolia late 19th–early 20th century

Ruddy-brown sculpture depicting deity with countless heads and arms arranged in semi-circles at sides of body

Cosmic Vishnu (Vishvarupa)

Nepal 17th–18th century

Painting on cloth depicting Buddha seated on lotus pedestal, surrounded by attendants, before mountainous background

Buddha Shakyamuni with Arhats

Tibet 18th century

Golden statue depicting seated Buddha holding bowl in lap, left hand touching ground

Buddha Shakyamuni

Tibet 15th century

Two halves of bronze-colored mold used to produce sculpture depicting monk with hands at chest in prayer

Mold for an image of Tsongkhapa (1357-1419)

Mongolia 19th century

Stupa and multitude of deity portraits hover above landscape at top two-thirds; two scenes featuring throngs of figures at bottom third

Chariot Ritual (Bhimaratha Pata)

Nepal dated by inscription, 1902

Two halves of clay and copper mold used to produce votive tablet depicting wrathful deity

Mold for clay image (tsatsa) of Vajrapani

Himalayan region 19th century

Two halves of clay and copper mold used to produce votive tablet depicting Buddhas and stupa forms

Mold for clay image (tsatsa) of Buddha Amitayus

Himalayan region 19th century

Religious implement in vajra shape: two open spheres formed by curved prongs connected by shaft

Vajra Scepter

Tibet 16th century

Golden statue depicting standing Bodhisattva wearing pleated dhoti and finely-modeled crown, earrings, armbands, and necklaces

Bodhisattva Kshitigarbha

Tibet 17th century

Crossed Vajra

Tibet 20th century

Dark brown sculpture with traces of gilding depicting deity riding on horseback before fiery nimbus

Attendant Figure to Vaishravana

Tibet 16th century

Vajra and Bell

Tibet 18th century

Two Bodhisattvas glance at one another while seated on lotus platforms before pagoda-roofed structure

Bodhisattvas Maitreya and Manjushri in Tushita Pure Realm

Tibet early 20th century

Bronze-colored statue depicting seated Bodhisattva wearing ornate crown and pleated dhoti holding long-stemmed blossoms

Maitreya

Tibet 17th century

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

Woodblock for printing prayer flag

Himalayan region ca. 19th–early 20th century

Silver religious implement with turquoise accents; ball and chain attached to rotating cylinder mounted on wooden handle

Handheld Prayer Wheel

Central Tibet early 20th century

Stupa

Tibet 14th century

Chakrasamvara with Consort

Tibet 15th century

Bronze-colored sculpture depicting Bodhisattva seated on lotus pedestal, torso inclined to the right, holding blossoms

Green Tara

Tibet ca. 18th century

Tarnished golden statue depicting six-armed goddess wearing pointed crown holding implements in each hand

Vasudhara

Nepal 13th century

Brass-colored statue depicting Buddha seated in meditation, holding bowl in lap and implement in extended left hand

Medicine Buddha

Mongolia 18th century

Tarnished copper-colored statue depicting six-armed goddess wearing pointed crown holding implements in each hand

Vasudhara, Goddess of Abundance

Nepal 17th century

Avalokiteshvara

2022

Bird’s-eye view of golden-roofed palace complex surrounded by gardens with image of blue-skinned Buddha at center

Medicine Buddha Palace (copy of first painting from the set of the Tibetan Medical Paintings from Mentsikhang Lhasa)

Rebgong county, Qinghai province, China 2012-2013

Patinated copper statue depicting deity standing with arms crossed at chest, wearing garland of human heads

Vajrayogini

Tibet 17th century

Medical Instruments

Tibet date unknown

Medical Instruments

Tibet 18th-19th century

Relief sculpture depicting wrathful deity standing on haunches atop prone figure before fiery nimbus

Panjaranatha Mahakala

Tibet ca. 16¬th–17th century

Black and white print depicting woman clasping tree branch under cloud-filled sky amidst buildings and garden

Buddha’s Birth, from a set of the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha, Print from a woodblock

Derge Printing House, Kham region, eastern Tibet after 1960

Tarnished brass-colored sculpture depicting wrathful deity wearing crown and billowing robes holding staff across body

Lekden Mahakala

Tibet date unknown

Colorful painting depicting woman clasping tree branch under cloud-filled sky amidst buildings and garden

Birth of the Buddha, from a set of the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha, after a carved woodblock

Tibet 20th century

Brass-colored sculpture depicting four-armed wrathful deity with mouth open in grimace riding atop horse

Mahakala

Tibet 17th century

Golden sculpture depicting cow-headed, many-armed deity in embrace with consort surrounded by circle of deities

Vajrabhairava with Consort Vajravetali

China Ming dynasty (1368–1644), second half of the 15th century

Patinated golden sculpture depicting Buddha wearing pointed crown and tall hairstyle seated in meditation

Buddha Vairochana

China Qing dynasty (1644–1911), ca. 19th century

The Stages of Nepalese Lost-Wax Metal Casting

Nepal 2022

Sculpture depicting deity flanked by braided bodies of serpents; head covered by hood of seven serpents

Vishnu with the King of Snakes, Shesha

Nepal ca. 17th century

Gilt open metalwork depicting serpent deity hooded by three snakes, her tail curling amidst acanthus scrolls

Flying Naga

Nepal or Tibet 14th century

Three clusters of portraits centered on white-skinned deity in dancing pose hover above mountainous landscape

Refuge Field with Machik Labdron (1055–1153)

Tibet early 20th century

Tarnished copper sculpture depicting many-armed and -headed deity standing with feet planted firmly apart

Shiva Bhairava

Nepal 15th century

Buddha hovers, left hand extended towards ground, above mountainous landscape dotted with buildings and groups of figures

Buddha Shakyamuni and Teaching Stories (Avadana)

Central Tibet late 18th–19th century

Polychrome sculpture depicting bearded Enlightened Teacher wearing pleated robes painted with floral motif at chest

Arhat Ajita

Tibet or China 17th century

Lama wearing saffron robe seated on blue-cushioned throne with hands posed in mudras at chest

Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye (1813-1899)

Eastern Tibet early 20th century

Shrine Cabinet (chosham)

Tibet second half of 20th century

Patinated copper- and gold-colored statue depicting Buddha seated in meditation wearing crown and tall hairstyle

Buddha Amitayus

Tibet 17th century

Gold- and silver-colored sculpture depicting monk wearing pleated robe, holding long-stemmed blossoms in hands

Tsongkapa (1357-1419)

Tibet 16th century

Patinated copper-colored statue depicting Bodhisattva holding hands in mudras, flanked by long-stemmed blossoms

Green Tara

Himalayan ca. 17th century

Bronze-colored statue depicting Bodhisattva holding long-stemmed blossoms; seated with left leg extended to ground

Manjushri

Nepal 17th century

Bronze-colored sculpture depicting four-armed Bodhisattva seated on lotus pedestal; tightly wound textile scroll attached to front left arm

Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara

Tibet 16th century

Golden sculpture depicting bare-chested figure, seated with right knee raised, wearing turquoise-accented jewelry

Mahasiddha Avadhutipa

Tibet 17th–18th century

Tarnished golden statue depicting six-armed deity wearing pointed crown, posing hands in mudras

Ushnishavijaya

Tibet 17th century

Pencil drawing depicting two building complexes situated on peak and spur of mountain outcropping

Chakpori Medical College

Tibet 1905

Metal devotional implement in stupa shape featuring deity image at center, filigree work, and script

Chorten constructed in the memory of Kunga Drolchok (1507–1566)

Namgyal Monastery; Mustang, Nepal ca. 1568

Three highly decorated silver drinking vessels: one tall with long, thin neck; one short and cylindrical; one horn-shaped

Decanter, Cup, and Rhyton

Tibet mid- to late 7th or 8th century

Line drawing in ink depicting central circle inscribed with text framed by two figures; One upside down, one right-side up

Demon-Binding Against Sickness

Dolpo region, western Nepal ca. 1975

Computer-generated image depicting design for monumental white stupa and colossal golden Buddha amid trees

Design for Grand Maitreya Project, work-in-progress

near Ulaanbaatar

Stylized female figure holding planet Earth, beset by flame and flood, in mouth as snake emerges from her pregnant belly

Desire

Lhasa 2020

Rectangular stone fountainhead in the form of elephant-like creature with raised trunk and gaping, toothy mouth

Detail of Fountain outside Bhaktapur Palace, showing sculpted stone spout

Bhaktapur, Nepal 1688

Mural in photorealistic style depicting Lama seated on ornate golden throne above group of lamas and deities

Detail of Mural of Fourteenth Dalai Lama Receiving International Dignitaries

Norbulingka, Lhasa, Tibet 1956

Close view of religious implement with doors opened revealing dozens of portraits; decorated with pigments and stones

Detail of tashi gomang

Tashichhodzong, Thimphu, Bhutan 17th century

27 golden Buddha statues, turned away from viewer, mounted in six rows with backsides protruding from blue wall

Do What You Love

2010

Tarnished statuette depicting figure seated with hands clasped at chest and right knee raised

Donor Figure

western Nepal/western Tibet 13th–14th century

Patinated bronze hand bell featuring handle decorated with faces and vajra-shaped pommel

Drilbu Bell Claimed to Have Been Discovered by Dorje Lingpa

Thimpu, Bhutan discovered in the 14th century

Sculpture depicting golden, many-armed goddess and animals atop wooden plinth flanked by kneeling attendants

Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon (Durga Mahishasuramardini)

Nepal 12th–13th century

Smooth, purple-brown figurine of a sheep featuring curved horn, prominent musculature, and wooly neck

Figurine of a Wild Sheep

closely associated with western Tibet Protohistoric period (ca. 100 BCE to 600 CE)

Dark stone statue of Vishnu riding Garuda; anointed with red and gold pigments

Garudasana Vishnu

Changu Narayan Temple; Nepal ca. 7th–8th century

Black and white portrait photograph of man wearing wire frame glasses and jacket with high collar

Gendun Chopel (Tibetan, 1903–1951)

India 1935

Black and white photograph of man in wide-brimmed fur hat riding horse with ornamented headdress

George Tsarong in Yasor Costume, 1950

1950

Monumental textile hung on the side of building before large crowd depicting Guru surrounded by portraits

Giant appliqué scroll representing Padmasambhava and his Eight Emanations

Paro Tshechu, Bhutan

Watercolor depicting white stupa with needle-like spire situated on rocky outcropping

Godāvapa Stūpa

Sri Lanka 1941

Golden statue depicting goddess seated on lotus pedestal holding vajra in left hand at chest

Goddess Marichi

Mongolia late 17th or early 18th century

Two pencil drawings: at top, man walks on all fours toward base of deity statue; At bottom, man lies supine upon bed of nails

Going on Pilgrimage on All Fours and An Ascetic Sleeping on the Points of a Thousand Wooden Spikes

India ca. 1940

Courtyard featuring second-story loggia under sloping roofline; religious sculptures and implements at center of courtyard

Gopichandra Monastery (Pintu Bahi)

Patan, Nepal 2018

Black and white photograph of six officials riding on horseback up dusty hillside path

Group of Officials Riding Up to the Potala for New Year Festivities (named persons: Taring Jigme, Yuthok)

February 13, 1937

Sculpture depicting figure wearing saffron robe and pointed red headdress seated on lotus pedestal before mural

Guru Padmasambha, the scholar manifestations of Padmasambhava

Lo Gekhar Monastery, Mustang, Nepal mid-17th century

Brasswork featuring etched image of seated Buddha enclosed by arched structure and two patterned, horseshoe-shaped bands

Halo with etched Buddha at Awakening and Attendants

Kashmir ca. 720

Glass cylinder featuring three stone-decorated bands mounted on spindle; green jade handle at right

Handheld Prayer Wheel

Tibet 19th–20th century

Small, green, double-headed drum attached with cord to long tassel embroidered with religious motifs

Handheld Drum (Damaru)

Tibet or Mongolia early 20th century

Gridded square with ten columns and ten rows, each containing plant illustration and accompanying text

Herbal Medicines, Painting 26 of the Tibetan Medical Paintings, Ulan Ude Set

Lhasa, central Tibet early 20th-century copy of original from ca. 1687–1697

Polychrome religious sculpture in the form of two-story building surrounded by mountain peaks and stylized clouds

Icon of Five Auspicious Long Life Sisters

Bhutan

Bird’s-eye view of enclosed complex of domed tents and religious structures behind forecourt filled with figures

Ikh Khüree Naadam

Mongolia 1966

Bird’s-eye-view of crowd assembled in circular formation on plaza before walled building complex

Ikh Khüree Tsam

Mongolia 1966

Photograph of t-shirt-shaped objects mounted on poles at shore of body of water before mountain range

Installation work in the exhibition Keepers of the Water

Lhasa 1996

Black and white photograph of craftsman in his studio chiseling small piece of material to create face

Interior view of the “Jung Ho [Ronghe] idol factory” (copper workshop)

located near the Yonghegong Monastery, Beijing, China 1930s

Copper-colored metalwork depicting half-man, half-bird figure adorned with crown, garlands, and plumage

Jalamanusha (Merman)

Nepal ca. 13th century

Black and white photograph of man wearing embroidered robe holding camera up to eyes beside monks seated at left

Jigme Taring, Tibetan noblemen and official, holding cine camera with still camera hanging at his side

Lhasa possibly 1958

Gold- and bronze-colored sculpture depicting seated, crowned Buddha flanked by two attendants

Juu Shakyamuni with his pupils

made in Dolonnuur, Inner Mongolia, decorated in Buryatia (Federation of Russia) 19th century

Mottled copper religious implement in stupa shape with canopy and lotus blossom at top

Kadampa-style Reliquary Stupa

Tibet 13th or 14th century

Black and white photograph of mule with elaborately decorated harness, head ornaments, string of bells at neck, and saddle carpet

Kala, Maultier des Postreiters (Kala, mule of the post rider)

Tibet 1938 or 1939

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

Kalachakra (Dechingalba) Temple in Yekhe Khüriye Monastery

Mongolia late 19th century

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

King Bhaskara Deva Varma (12th century) and Woman Donor Wearing Tayo-bizakani

Kwa Baha, Patan, Nepal 1804

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

Lacquered Wood Duomu Pitcher with Gold Floral Designs

China 19th–20th century

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

Leg Bone Trumpet (Kang Ling)

Tibet 18th–19th century

Tarnished, gilded relief sculpture depicting rider on horseback before background featuring figures in miniature

Lhamo

Densatil Monastery, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1407–1408

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

Lhasa Newars with Camera

Lhasa 1940s

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

Lhasa, der Wollhafen mit Details (Lhasa, wool port with details)

Lhasa 1938 or 1939

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)

Lhasa 1938 or 1939

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

Life Portrait of the Sixth Zhamar, Garwang Chokyi Wangchuk (1584–1630)

Tibet early 17th century (before 1630)

Line drawing in ink depicting central circle inscribed with text superimposed atop boar with bristling fur

Livestock Charm

primarily Dolpo region, Nepal since 1975

Light yellow tapered tower topped with stupa and covered in geometric moldings; features extravagantly decorated portico and base

Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya, India

Bodhgaya, India

Close view from below of tower clad in decorative molding; features richly carved portico, pediments, and lintels

Mahabuddha Temple

Patan, Nepal 1564–1601

Sculpture depicting Siddha with topknot seated on lotus pedestal holding drum in raised left hand

Mahasiddha Damarupa of a Lamdre lineage

Namgyal Monastery, Mustang, Nepal 16th century

Maitreya

Mongolia 1680s

Maitreya

Mongolia 1680s

Panoramic painting depicting hundreds of figures arranged in formation on dusty field under blue sky

Maitreya Procession in Yekhe Khüriye

1965

Major Events of the Buddha's Life

Northeastern India 12th century

Man stands behind religious implement in the form of tiered building decorated with red beads

Manip displaying tashi gomang during Buddhist festival

Punakha, Bhutan 1981

Three gilded Bodhisattva statuettes: one holds sword in left hand, one sits pensively, one holds vajra in left hand

Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara, and Vajrapani

Imperial Workshop, Nanjing or Beijing Yongle period (r. 1403–1424)

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

Manjushri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom

Tibet 11th century

Colorful butter sculpture depicting Bodhisattva raising sword with left arm; holding right hand in mudra at chest

Manjushri, torma butter sculpture

Labrang Monastery, Amdo region, eastern Tibet (Gansu Province, China) 2014

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

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

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

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

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 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 statue of crowned deity with blue hair handled delicately by people with saffron-colored textiles

Pakpa Lokeshvara

Nepal 7th century

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

Colorful butter sculpture depicting wrathful deity with blue skin and crown of skulls riding atop horse

Palden Lhamo, torma butter sculpture

Labrang Monastery, Amdo region, eastern Tibet (Gansu Province, China) 2014

Polished brown stone sculpture with gold and red pigment depicting grimacing deity before nimbus of flames

Panjaranatha Mahakala

Tibet 15th century

Seated statue wearing tall crown; adorned with scarves and situated in green niche behind painted red arch

Pema Lingpa

Kunzangdrak Monastery, Bhutan

Gilded statuette of seated Bodhisattva with dramatically curved torso wearing elaborate crown and finely articulated accessories

Pensive Avalokiteshvara

Imperial Workshop, Nanjing or Beijing Yongle period (r. 1403–1424)

Brown-gray stone sculpture in Hellenistic style depicting seated Bodhisattva with left hand raised to face level

Pensive Avalokiteshvara

Gandhara 2nd–3rd century

Statuette depicting Bodhisattva, legs half-uncrossed, holding symbolic implement in right hand and left hand raised to cheek

Pensive Avalokiteshvara

Swat 7th century

Pinkish-beige sculpture featuring almond-shaped nimbus with Bodhisattva inset; mounted on base and supported by two columns

Pensive Avalokiteshvara on the back of Maitreya Statue

Yecheng, Hebei Province 547

Side-by-side photographs in medium and close view of elaborate cabinet containing crowned bust of Buddha

Photograph of the pre-Cultural Revolution Jowo Sakyamuni

1954 or 1955

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

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

Loosely arranged string of turquoise beads with carved bone centerpiece and five dark-blue tassels

Prayer Beads (trengwa)

Tibet 19th century

Brass-colored dagger with sharp, darkened blade; features open metalwork hilt and anthropomorphic face at pommel

Purpa Dagger Discovered by Pema Lingpa

date unknown

Black and white photograph of man wearing dark jacket and patterned dhoti standing beside building

Rabden Lepcha in Delhi

ca. 1915

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

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

Black and white photograph of two-story building in Russian style; Onion dome atop structure at right

Russian Consulate and Holy Trinity Church

Yekhe Khüriye, Mongolia 1912

Watercolor in beige and black depicting enthroned Buddha holding hands in mudras at chest

Sarnath Buddha

India ca. 1940

Golden statue of seated man wearing red hat with hands raised at chest; saffron and red textile wrapped around shoulders

Sculpted Image of Nyephu (Hephu) Trulku Sangag Gyeltsen (ca. 1600–1661)

Neyphu Temple; Paro, Bhutan date unknown

Seated Bodhisattva

China late 13th–14th century

Intricately detailed brass statuette of enthroned Buddha flanked by five smaller deities

Seated Buddha Flanked by Maitreya and Avalokiteśvara

Palola Shahi Kingdom April 23, 715

Colorful butter sculpture depicting Lama seated between two writhing dragons underneath Buddha with blue skin

Second Jamyang Zhepa (1728–1791), torma butter sculpture

Labrang Monastery, Amdo region, eastern Tibet (Gansu Province, China) 2014

Orange leather saddle featuring gold filigree and turquoise decoration at pommel

Set of Saddle Plates

Tibet or China ca. 1400

Exterior view of canopied monument in weathered gray and brown stone featuring pointed arches and tiered pyramid roof

Shaiva Shrine

Payer, Kashmir ca. 10th century

Black and white photograph of sculpture depicting haloed Buddha wearing sheer tunic standing before full-body nimbus

Shakyamuni Donated by Dhandeva

Shantipura, Svayambhu, Kathmandu, Nepal 15th century

Buddha in orange robe sits cross-legged on grisaille throne while flanked by two smaller men in patchwork robes

Shakyamuni Flanked by His Main Disciples

Lijiang, Yunnan Province 17th century

Colorful butter sculpture depicting Buddha seated underneath richly decorated canopy, flanked by attendants

Shakyamuni, torma butter sculpture

Labrang Monastery, Amdo region, eastern Tibet (Gansu Province, China) 2014

Golden statuette depicting goddess composed of two figures: below, seated figure; above, many-headed and -armed figure

Siddhi Lakshmi

Nepal 17th century

View through columns decorated with coiled dragons of deity statue seated before silver nimbus

Silver Juu (Tib. Jowo), Main Assembly Hall of Yekhe Juu

Höhhot, Inner Mongolia, China 1579

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

Watercolor depicting two men washing themselves and woman carrying vessel on head, followed by infant

Spring Morning

India ca. 1940

Gilded statue depicting Bodhisattva wearing flowing skirt and elaborate accessories standing between two long-stemmed blossoms

Standing Bodhisattva with Yongle-period inscription in Chinese, Tibetan, and Sanskrit on the base

China 15th century, Yongle period (1403–1424)

Brass statue of Buddha standing in contrapposto before damaged mandorla

Standing Buddha

Kashmir late 10th to early 11th century

Black and white photograph of relief sculpture depicting Buddha flanked by two kneeling attendants

Standing Buddha Shakyamuni

Bangemudha Tole, Kathmandu, Nepal 5th–6th century

Black and white photograph of relief sculpture depicting Buddha and attendant situated before tiered architectonic sculpture

Standing Buddha Shakyamuni

Naka Bahi, Patan, Nepal 10th century

Black and white photograph of relief sculpture depicting elegantly carved Buddha against rough-hewn background; feet are missing

Standing Buddha Shakyamuni

Northern Asoka Stupa, Patan, Nepal ca. 9th century

Silver statue depicting seated, crowned Buddha holding small vase in hands positioned in lap

Statue of Amitayus, Dolonnuur style

19th century

Polychrome statue of holy man holding left hand in mudra; adorned with colorful, embroidered textiles

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

Copper-colored statue depicting Bodhisattva raising sword with left arm, long-stemmed blossom at right shoulder

Statue of Manjushri

Efi (efü?) khalkha süme, Shiliin Gol League (formerly in Chakhar), Inner Mongolia mid-18th 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

Colossal statue depicting golden Buddha seated atop plinth; situated on hilltop before clouded mountainside

Ravangla, Sikkim, India 2013

Colossal golden Buddha statue seated atop golden plinth, surrounded by terrace decorated with deity statues

Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha (Buddha Dordenma)

Thimphu, Bhutan 2015

Colossal statue depicting Hindu deity towers above elaborately decorated gold and white entrance to plinth

Statue of Shiva

Solophok Hill, Namchi, Sikkim, India 2011

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

Gilded statuette of seated, four-armed Bodhisattva holding sword in leftmost hand and spiritual implements in others

Uninscribed representation of Lowo Khenchen, identified on the basis of his distinct physical features and the workmanship

Lo (Mustang) 16th century

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

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

Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha

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