Chinese Tibetan Qing Dynasty gilt bronze Buddha Lama figure of Ngagwang Lobzang Gyatso, 1617-1682. The figure is seated on a rectangular pedestal base with legs crossed in Dhyana Sana, one hand held in vitarka mudra and the other lowered to the waist level with the hands are level with heart in Dharmacakra Mudra gesture of teaching and wheel of Law. Seated in crossed leg Lotus position upon double lotus throne, the face with eyes downcast providing a benevolent expression, wearing the characteristic pointed hat with long flaps covering the ears, falling onto each side of the shoulder, dressed in a voluminous robe wrapped across one shoulder partially covering the inner-robe tied at the waist. Symbolize Buddha teaching the Dharma while in meditation on emptiness.
Measurements: Height: 12" Diameter: 7 1/2"PROVENANCE:Pineville-Charlotte, North Carolina, private collector, by inheritance. Believed to be purchased from OLIVOTTI BRO'S, 1191 Broadway, New York, N Y. and/or, of 145 Tremont ST. Boston, MA. During 1916-1924. LOT NOTES:
Ngagwang Lobzang Gyatso, 1617-1682, was born to a family of Nyingma practitioners in 1617 in the Yarlung Valley of Tibet, descendants of the Imperial line of the Yarlung Dynasty. His father was Miwang Dundul Rabten and his mother was Kunga Lhadze. In 1622 he was identified as the rebirth of Sonam Gyatso by the First Panchen Lama Lobzang Chokyi Gyaltsen), who had been the tutor to the Fourth Dalai Lama. The Panchen Lama gave him the name Lobzang Gyatso and enthroned him at Drepung. Upon taking the seat of the Dalai Lamas in Drepung, Lobzang Gyatso immediately assumed the ritual responsibilities of the office, presiding over the New Year's feast offering and the Saga Dawa festivities in the fourth Tibetan month. He also began his studies, with Lingme Shabdrung Konchog Chopel and the First Panchen Lama, in Prajnaparamita, Madhyamaka, Vinaya and Abhidharma. He also trained in grammar and poetics, astrology and divination, and related topics, with Mondro Pandita, who later would advise his student to suppress the Jonang tradition. Lobzang Gyatso received his full monastic ordination in 1638. Lingme Shabdrung and the First Panchen Lama administered the vows and gave him the name Ngagi Wangchug (ngag gi dbang phyug).