Tibet, 19th century, Rare set of five Buddhist pantheon figurines in finely chased silver

°°°°Annual leave from 09 November to 26 December 2023°°°°

Tibet
19th century
Wood, Silver
Excellent condition

Pieces collected in the middle of the XIXth century in China by an officer of the French Army stationed in the Far East (China campaign in 1859), and remained within the same family since then.

From left to right on the first picture:

- Representation of a Dakini in silver
5.6 x 2.5 cm including base
The deity is depicted seated in the half-lotus position, her body slightly bent and dressed in a dhoti, the sides of the dhoti falling down to the base. The arms are folded, the hands are placed above the bare chest holding a long necklace. She is adorned with a double brahmanic cord as well as bracelets on her arms and wrists. The head is adorned with a tiara, the elaborate hairstyle raised into a high double bun, long locks of hair falling on the shoulders, the ears adorned with large circular curls.

- Representation of a Dakini in silver
5.3 x 2.4 cm including base
The deity is represented seated in the sattvaparyanka position, her body wiggling in dhoti. The right arm is outstretched, the hand resting on the leg, the left arm resting on the chest, the hands clasping a long garland of flowers. She is adorned with a double brahmanic necklace crossing her bare chest as well as bracelets on her arms, wrists and ankles. The head leaning to the right is wearing a tiara, the hairstyle raised in an elaborate double bun, long locks of hair falling on the shoulders, the ears adorned with large circular curls.

- Representation of a wind horse in silver
6.2 x 4 cm including base
Representation of a horse of the wind or Lung-Ta in Tibetan, represented at the stop, harnessed and saddled. Mythical Tibetan creature of the pre-Buddhist era, mediator between Heaven and Earth, it carries on its back the jewel of enlightenment symbolized by the Buddha, the Dharma (the Teaching) and the Sangha (the Community).

- Representation of a lama in gilded silver
5.1 x 2.8 cm including base
The Holy Man is depicted seated in Bhumisparsa Mudra position (right hand touching the ground with his fingertips in the gesture of taking the Earth as witness), the left hand placed in his lap receiving a vase. He is dressed in a thick cloak and adorned with the Brahmanic cord as well as a necklace holding a medallion. The hair is encased in a turban, the long hair falling in a band over the shoulders and down to the middle of the back, the ears receiving large circular curls.

- Representation of a llama in gilded silver
6.1 x 2.8 cm including base
The ascetic is represented seated, his right hand touching the ground with his fingertips in the gesture of taking the Earth as a witness (Bhumisparsa Mudra), the left hand placed in his lap receiving a conch shell. He is dressed in a thick mantle girded in the middle, the cloth falling over his arms and adorned with a necklace with a large medallion. A high bonnet covers his hair, which falls in a long lock to the middle of his back, and his ears are adorned with large circular curls.
 

Ref: 44A6ANO7O6