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

Item id: 811

This is a very fine and special 16thC Buddha. It is a very good size at 6.25 inches tall by 5.25 inches tall. While that does not sound large for a Buddha, for one of these extremely finely finished and inlaid silver alloy early Tibetan Buddhas, it puts it in to a category of very significant value. Note the mirror like finish, and the beautiful gray color (best seen on the photo of the back, where the patina is most untouched), which show the high silver content. It is hard to see in the photos, but the sash across the chest and the back is inlaid with copper, and the eyes are inlaid with silver. The dot in the forehead appears to have been inlaid with a jewel or with gold or something else at one time as well. The lips have traces of red and the hair has remains of blue. This one is from my personal collection. If you've looked in the higher end auction catalogues you've seen what these kinds of pieces can go for.