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Inscribed Lion Throne
OriginGilgit (present day Pakistan)
DateEarly 7th century
Dimensions6 × 10 1/2 × 5 1/4 in.
MediumMetal alloy
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art, Gift of Carlton Rochell
Object numberC2005.37.2
Himalayan Art Resources Number65412
DescriptionThis lion throne likely once supported a seated buddha sculpture. An inscription located on the textile hanging between the lions indicates that the principal donor responsible for its creation was a queen of the Patola Shahis in the Gilgit region of northern Pakistan. Such inscriptions, found on a select group of bronze sculptures, have allowed scholars to trace the history of this royal house. This is one of the earliest Patola Shahi bronzes known to exist. Many of these bronzes traveled from Gilgit to Tibet and influenced the region’s art.11th century
Sculpture: 1403-1424; Throne: ca. 13th century
ca. 9th century
16th century
18th century
19th - 20th century
15th century
19th century
late 19th or 20th century
14th century
mid-14th to mid-15th century