TIBET, PALA REVIVAL STYLE, 16TH CENTURY OR LATER

This splendid representation of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom, is a classic example of the Pala Revival style produced in Tibet. Following the Northeastern Indian Pala tradition of masterful non-gilt bronze work, this sculpture retains a rich dark-brown patina overall: the dhoti is incised with silver and copper inlay to imitate the textiles depicted in vivid colors within the illuminations found on Pala Buddhist texts.
The multi-tiered base with beaded upper and lower edges and flared lotus petals is similar to that of lot 326, a Pala-period image of Maitreya. The elongated torso, stylization of the jata or matted hair, and smoothly finished surface, however, point to the Tibetan origin of this sculpture as does the Chinese-style modeling of the face, the long narrow nose and face shape of which clearly take after fiftennth-century prototypes. Note the striking resemblance of this figure’s face with that of the figure of Maitreya on the opposite page.
Himalayan Art Resources, item no. 24532.