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

Item id: 584

This is an old Tibetan or Mongolian Milarepa in an uncommon ascetic form in which the skeleton is clearly showing through. It is cast out of an extremely hard clay or terracotta or other material. It appears to have been once entirely covered with a black lacquer. The piece was so well cast, and the material is so hard, that the detail has been fully preserved. The bottom has some old silk: I do not know if it is original or ir has something inside I'm not sure how to date it, but based on the remains of old lacquer and silk I'd guess that it is 19th or early 20th century. Stands 3.75 inches tall. No chips, losses, or repairs. Highly uncommon. I've seen one other very closely related piece which was purchased at a high end auction house for a significant amount of money.