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This sculpture and its pair, a sculpture of Atisha, are made with a combined method of solid wood carving and composite construction of the lower part of the lotus base. These two objects, having the same size, carving technique, and painted decoration of their surfaces, were probably part of a larger set that represented the teachers of the Gelug tradition.
Dromton (1004/05-1064)
OriginTibet
Dateca. 18th-19th century
Dimensions11 3/8 × 8 5/8 × 6 in.
MediumWood, pigments, lacquer
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art, Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin
Object numberC2013.12.5
Himalayan Art Resources Number1117
DescriptionDromton was a principle disciple of an Indian teacher Atisha (982 - 1054) who visited Tibet and was one of the most revered Indian masters at the time. Dromton was a lay person and the sculpture shows him in a lay person’s attire. The robes are decorated with stylized but detailed flower patterns painted in gold that give his inner robe and the outer shawl rich luxurious appearances. Dromton’s long hair is painted blue and cascades down his back and over his shoulders in three hefty tresses. His hands, appropriate for a teacher giving a discourse, are held in a teaching gesture (dharmachakra mudra). This sculpture and its pair, a sculpture of Atisha, are made with a combined method of solid wood carving and composite construction of the lower part of the lotus base. These two objects, having the same size, carving technique, and painted decoration of their surfaces, were probably part of a larger set that represented the teachers of the Gelug tradition.
Not on view
ca. 18th-19th century
13th-14th century
13th century
2012-2013
12th century
15th century
18th century
1429-1456
late 18th - 19th century
16th century
19th century