Page 43 - Christies Indian and Himalayan Art Sept 2015

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A GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF THE FIRST KARMAPA, DUSUM
KHYENPA (1110-1193)
TIBET, 16TH/17TH CENTURY

Seated in dhyanasana on a double lotus base with his hands held
before him in dharmachakramudra, dressed in voluminous fowing
robes, the borders incised with ornate foliate patterns, his face with
benevolent smile and almond-shaped eyes fanked by prominent ears
with shortly cropped hair
5º in. (13.3 cm.) high

$20,000-30,000

PROVENANCE:

Private collection, London, acquired from Christie’s New York,
19 October 2001, lot 94

PUBLISHED:

Himalayan Art Resource (himalayanart.org), item no. 23957

The First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa (1110-1193), is believed to have
made predictions about his future incarnations. He is said to have
given a letter to his main disciple, Sanggye Rechen Peldrag (1148-
1218), foretelling where his next incarnation would be born and
instructing him to locate the reincarnated boy and train him
in accordance with Karma Kagyu tradition.

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