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This sculpture demonstrates that the same artists made both Buddhist and Bon images, as Drenpa Namkha is depicted with the characteristics of Indian siddhas. As is typical of early Tibetan sculpture, the head of this work is disproportionally large, with the hair-knot high and set back and the ribbons of the figure’s crown floating up beside his head. In his upper right hand he grasps a parasol that is topped by a yundrung (swastika), the most important symbol of the Bon religion.
The double-lotus base with long and narrow petals became popular in the early fifteenth century, especially at the Chinese court, and is here rendered in a simpler Tibetan style. Of special interest among the animals depicted along the base, seen in the view above, is a dragon, a rare theme at that time.
Drenpa Namka
OriginTibet
Date15th century
Dimensions9 1/2 × 6 × 4 1/2 in.
MediumCopper alloy with silver and turquoise inlays
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art
Object numberC2003.31.1
Himalayan Art Resources Number65183
DescriptionDrenpa Namkha, from the Zhang Zhung region of the Himalayan Plateau, is regarded as an emanation of the founder of Tibet’s Bon religion, Tonpa Shenrab. Comparable to Buddhism’s Padmasambhava, Drenpa Namkha is the most important early teacher of Bon. He has acquired a cult status and is both worshiped and portrayed in art as a deity with many forms.This sculpture demonstrates that the same artists made both Buddhist and Bon images, as Drenpa Namkha is depicted with the characteristics of Indian siddhas. As is typical of early Tibetan sculpture, the head of this work is disproportionally large, with the hair-knot high and set back and the ribbons of the figure’s crown floating up beside his head. In his upper right hand he grasps a parasol that is topped by a yundrung (swastika), the most important symbol of the Bon religion.
The double-lotus base with long and narrow petals became popular in the early fifteenth century, especially at the Chinese court, and is here rendered in a simpler Tibetan style. Of special interest among the animals depicted along the base, seen in the view above, is a dragon, a rare theme at that time.
Not on view
19th century
18th century
19th century
20th century
19th century
19th century
19th century
18th - 19th century
19th century