A POLYCHROMED BLACK STONE FIGURE OF A GELUG LAMATibet, circa 16th century
The lama carved from heavy stone, wearing a thick meditation cloak over his robes. 12 cm (4 3/4 in) high (2).注脚Provenance: a private South African Collection.

Himalayan Art Resources item no.16723.

The posture of the present lama is common among Gelug portraits, especially the Fifth Dalai Lama (e.g., HAR 71167). Gelug lamas also don the yellow pandita hat, worn here in an unusual manner generally associated with high translators (lotsawas).

Compare a portrait of Chokyi Palsang and another unidentified portrait with a similar face both formerly of the Halpert Collection (Rochell, Faces of Tibet, New York, 2003, nos.41 & 48). Also, see a polychromed stone figure of Milarepa in the Rubin Museum of Art (HAR 700037).