Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c7.84

c7.84

Probably several centuries later is the copper-gilt figure of the Bodhisattva Padmapâni, or Avalokiteshvara, "The Lord who looks down with pity," and the guardian deity of Tibet, of whom the Dalai Lama is said to be an incarnation; on it the metal-worker and jeweller have lavished their utmost skill. The original is in the Calcutta Art Gallery. The figure is entirely built up of hammered copper; the tiara and ornaments are set with rubies, turquoise, lapis lazuli, and crystals. The beautiful modelling of the hands is especially noticeable. The expression of the face suggests Mongolian influence, but the whole inspiration of the art is Indian, brought by Nepalese artists into Tibet about the seventh or eighth centuries a.d.