Country Group: The Himalayas (Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia and Other)

Item id: 442

This is a fine and superbly detailed Mongolian Buddhist 19thC Tsa Tsa of the Bodhisattva Manjushri, who embodies wisdom, and cuts through ignorance with his sword. The reverse has Tibetan or Mongolian writing on it. It is in outstanding condition: although it has minor wear and losses, it is as good as these usually get. It comes from a major Chinese collector/dealer in San Francisco who has amassed a large collection of fine Mongolian clay tsa tsas, miniature bronzes, Thangkas and other Buddhist items. The tsa tsa is made from gilded and polychromed finely molded clay. The Gau box is a 2.5 inches high to the top of the loops by 2 inches wide; the Tsa Tsa is slightly smaler than the case, which may be custom made for the piece. Mongolian items of this age, quality, and condition are becoming extremely hard to find. This piece looks to have always been protected from the smoke and dust by the Gau, although the piece does have a mild smokey smell of Mongolia. The Gau box is exceptional: I believe that the beautiful design-work on the front is all in silver. I have a few others listed under other" as I don't have a category for Mongolia."