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16thC Tibetan Inscribed Gilt Image of the Arhat Bhadra browse these categories for related items... All Items: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas: Sculpture: Pre 1700: item #962117 Please refer to our stock #1126 when inquiring.
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Details: A finely cast and quality example 16th Century gilt copper alloy Tibetan image of the Arhat Bhadra (Bzang Po) an early disciple of the Buddha Shakyamuni. He is depicted teaching, seated crossed legged upon a superbly rendered single lotus pedestal, with his right hand in Vitarka Mudra and his left hand resting palm up in his lap. The quality and elegance of this image are evident in the masterfully shaped folds of the drapery, the naturalistic modeling of his facial features, the precision of the lotus base as well as its inscription. His robes are of particular interest to the eye, particularly the way his robes are incised with delicately chased geometric designs which heighten the beauty but do not detract from the sense of inner energy coursing through the layers of the thick robes, which overhang the lotus pedestal, his wonderful boots and are slung over his left shoulder in such a relaxed manner. The Bhadra or Bzang Po of the Buddhist scriptures was a cousin of the Buddha and one of his great disciples. He was born in Kapilavastu a region of the ancient Shakya kingdom, which was ruled by Buddha’s father Suddhodana. Bhadra was a good communicator of the Dharma, and could expand in clear and simple language the Master's teaching. Hence he is often either represented as expounding the contents of a book or with his right hand in the explication or teaching gesture of Vitarka Mudra as in the present example. Bhadra took his profession very seriously and aimed at spiritual perfection. Some of his most notable converts to the middle path were his parents and the Nagas of the Yumuna river. Age: 16th Century. Height: 13.5 cm. Remarks: This piece can be identified as the Arhat Bhadra (Bzang Po) by the Uchen styled inscription on the back of the base which reads: “Bzang Po La Na Mo” - “Homage to Bzang Po”. This piece would have been part of a set of the 16 Arhats. A similar image of the Arhat Rahula (Sgra Gcan’dzin) with the same dimensions, quality, casting characteristics and a similar inscription, which I believe is part of the same exact set as the Bhadra presented here is published in “Portraits of the Masters: Bronze Sculpture of the Tibetan Buddhist Lineages” edited by Donald Dinwiddie, plate 6 in the chapter on the Arhats. (Many thanks to Tashi for translating the inscription). |
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