Seated Lama

Artist

Mongolian (Mongolian)

Date

19th century

Medium

Wood with traces of cold gold and pigment, copper wire

Dimensions

Work : 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1 7/8 in. (11.43 x 6.35 x 4.76 cm)

Credit Line

Hope College Collection, Gift of David Kamansky and Gerald Wheaton

Object Number

2021.21.8

Label

This figure can be identified as a high-ranking lama by his distinctive high-crowned scholar’s hat and monk’s garments. He sits in a cross-legged meditation pose with one hand held up in a teaching gesture and the other hand resting in his lap. Both hands also hold the stalks of lotus blossoms that appear at the lama’s shoulders. The lotus on his right shoulder supports a flaming sword of wisdom, suggesting an affinity between this lama and the bodhisattva Manjusri. The pedestal on which he sits resembles a cased set of books, further reinforcing the lama’s status as a scholar and teacher.