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Expert’s note:
The numerous luting lines visible around the figure’s waist and neck, as well as on the lotus base, suggest that this sculpture dates to a time before such large figures could be cast in a single piece, likely in the earlier 19th century. The presence of small patches and fills—integral to the casting process and used to cover flaws—indicates that this was a commissioned work, created specifically for a large temple by a wealthy patron.
In Tibet and Bhutan during the 19th century, the tradition of temple donations played a pivotal role in preserving and sustaining religious institutions. Wealthy benefactors often commissioned significant works of art, such as this imposing figure of Guru Rinpoche, to gain spiritual merit and demonstrate their devotion. These donations frequently involved the exchange of large offerings—whether in the form of money, land, or even livestock—in return for blessings and ceremonies conducted by the temple's monastic community.
In some cases, foreign collectors like the Kienzle’s could acquire such monumental pieces during the turbulent period between the 1950s to 1970s directly from temples, often through substantial donations that supported the temple’s survival during times of political upheaval.
Large-scale images of Guru Rinpoche held immense importance in major temples. Revered as the second Buddha, Guru Rinpoche is a central figure in Tibetan Buddhism, symbolizing enlightenment and protection. Monumental depictions of him, like this one, are typically enshrined in prominent locations within temples, serving as focal points for worship and as protectors of the Dharma. Such images were essential for major ceremonial gatherings and often became the spiritual heart of a temple, embodying its wealth, influence, and connection to the divine.
Impressively cast in several parts, and elaborately inlaid with partially gilt and silvered bronze and copper, some of long sheets which have been intricately chased and incised, and others thickly cast to imitate jewels which have been left plain. The eyes, lips, and fingernails are further accented with similar inlays.
Guru Rinpoche is seated in lalitasana on a base with distinctively lobed and layered petals below a finely beaded rim, his right hand forming the karana mudra and holding a four-pronged vajra, the left resting in his lap supporting a kapala surmounted by a small vase filled with the elixir of life, the khatvanga cradled in his arm elaborately detailed with three prongs rising from a skull and two severed heads above a vajra suspending a drum and bell on a tasseled string and a billowing ribbon.
Provenance: The Kienzle Family Collection, Stuttgart, Germany. Acquired between 1950 and 1985 by siblings Else (1912-2006), Reinhold (1917-2008), and Dr. Horst Kienzle (1924-2019), during their extensive travels in Asia. Subsequently inherited by Dr. Horst Kienzle and bequeathed to the Museum für Asiatische Kunst, Radevormwald, Germany. Released through museum deaccession in 2024. The Kienzle siblings were avid travelers and passionate collectors of Asian and Islamic art. During their travels, the Kienzle’s sought out and explored temples, monasteries, and markets, always trying to find the best pieces wherever they went, investing large sums of money and forging lasting relationships to ensure they could acquire them. Their fervor and success in this pursuit is not only demonstrated by their collection but further recorded in correspondences between Horst Kienzle and several noted dignitaries, businesses and individuals in Nepal and Ladakh. Their collection had gained renown by the 1970s, but the Kienzle’s stopped acquiring new pieces around 1985. Almost thirty years later, the collection was moved to the Museum für Asiatische Kunst, Radevormwald, opened by Peter Hardt in 2014. Before his death in 2019, Horst Kienzle bequeathed his entire property to Peter Hardt and legally adopted him as his son, who has been using the name Peter Kienzle-Hardt ever since.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and casting irregularities including luting lines and metal patches. Some nicks, light scratches, few minor dents. The inlays with wear to gilt and expected losses. The kapala with soldering marks to the finial. Little warping to base. Remnants of lacquer gilding to the face. Small areas of verdigris. The bronze with a rich, naturally grown, dark patina.
Weight: ca. 125 kg (excl. the katvanga, kapala, and earrings)
Dimensions: Height 167 cm
His face is exquisitely modeled with a serene yet stern expression marked by powerful eyes below furrowed brows, his full lips framed by a scrolling mustache and short chin beard. The hair elegantly falls in long tresses over the shoulders. He wears a richly pleated robe cascading in graceful folds, neatly incised with lotus-petaled medallions enclosing auspicious symbols, the hems with foliate scroll as well as floral and wave diaper, his gently upturned shoes similarly decorated. He is covered in ornate jewelry including a foliate pectoral set with silver and copper jewels, suspending beaded strings with floral ornaments and a dzi bead, and a pair of lotiform earrings with similar inlay. His tall crown with lobed flaps decorated with similar foliate scroll and inlaid jewels, the cap centered by a sun and moon symbol which is also found on the khatvanga, and topped by a ribbon-tied vajra finial from which three feathers rise.
Padmasambhava (lit. 'lotus-born'), known as Guru Rinpoche in Tibet and Bhutan, is regarded as the teacher who founded the Nyingma order and introduced the people of Tibet to the practice of Tantric Buddhism. Tradition has it that he lived from 717 to 762, and was invited by King Tisong Detsen to subdue local deities so that construction of the first Buddhist monastery at Samye could proceed. He has been continuously and widely venerated throughout the region, and became especially popular in the early Qing dynasty under the influence of the Manchu court.
Guru Rinpoche is a highly revered figure in Bhutan, credited with introducing and firmly establishing Vajrayana Buddhism in the region during the 8th century. His influence is profound, with numerous monasteries, temples, and sacred sites dedicated to his legacy, such as the iconic Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) in Paro, believed to be where he meditated and subdued negative forces. His teachings and hidden treasure texts (terma), to be discovered at the proper time by future masters, form the foundation of Bhutanese spiritual life.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related Bhutanese copper alloy figure of Padmasanbhava dated to the 19th century, 73.3 cm high, in the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Object number C2006.66.644.
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