STATUETTE D'UN ENSEIGNANT BÖN EN ALLIAGE DE CUIVRE DORÉTIBET, XVIE/XVIIE SIÈCLEHimalayan Art Resources item no. 488317.2 cm (6 3/4 in.) highProvenance: A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF A BON TEACHERTIBET, 16TH/17TH CENTURY西藏 十六/十七世紀 銅鎏金苯教上師像Provenance:With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970sThis eccentric sculpture depicts a master of Tibet's indigenous Bon religion. The 'explication' gesture of his right hand (vitarka mudra) and the elixir of long life supported in his lap aremon attributes for Buddhist lamas. However, the enthusiastic inclusion of animals around the base –prising a snow lion, an elephant, a bird, and possibly a dog or a yak – the flattened tips of the lotus petals, and the rendering of a swastika symbol underneath the consecration plate are classic features of Bon art (see HAR 44528, 61921 & 65183).