{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O25171"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O25171/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2017JV6474/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2017JV6474/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2017JV6474","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2017JV6470","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O25171/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O25171","accessionNumber":"IS.13:1-1971","objectType":"Figure","titles":[{"title":"The Abbott rJe btsun grags pa rGyal mtshan","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"The abbot Jetsun Drakpa Gyaltsan (or rJe btsun grags pa rGyal mtshan) was a distinguished abbot of the Sakya order who lived from 1147 to 1216. An eminent teacher, he is shown making the gesture of expounding the Buddhist doctrine (<i>Dharmachakra mudra</i>). The lotus flowers at each shoulder hold a bell (left) and <i>dorje</i> or thunderbolt sceptre (right, now missing), indicating that the abbot had reached the exalted status of an enlightened being, as the paired symbols signify Buddhahood.\r\n\r\nThis image is one of a substantial group of inscribed bronzes of religious teachers belonging to this date. Although these images display elements of stylisation there also remains a 'portrait' aspect that relates them to the human original.","physicalDescription":"The figure sits in Vajrasana on a double lotus throne, with his hands in dharmachakra mudra holding the ends of the stalks of lotus flowers in the blooms of which rest a bell (l) and (r) formerly, now missing a vajra.  He has a beard and moustache and there are traces of paint on the face.  His robes are engraved with a floral design and Chinese symbols of wealth.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"bronze","id":"AAT10957"},{"text":"copper","id":"AAT11020"},{"text":"silver","id":"AAT11029"}],"techniques":[{"text":"cast","id":"x32615"},{"text":"gilded","id":"AAT53789"},{"text":"inlaid","id":"AAT53850"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Gilt bronze, with inlaid copper lips, and silver eyes","categories":[{"text":"Buddhism","id":"THES48984"},{"text":"Religion","id":"THES48900"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2017JV6474","2017JV6470"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"17","id":"THES49859"},"free":"","case":"CA002","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Sculpture","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Tibet","id":"x29910"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"16th century","earliest":"1500-01-01","latest":"1599-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"17.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"14","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"","value":"","unit":"","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"11.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"Tibetan","medium":"","method":"","position":"Below lotus throne","script":"U chen","translation":"\"I bow down to the lotus feet of the good and substantial Lord rje btsun grags pa rgyal mtshan and take refuge. May (I) obtain happiness for all living beings\"","transliteration":"","type":"Dedication","note":"Dedication; Tibetan; U chen; Below lotus throne"},{"content":"","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":""}],"objectHistory":"Purchased for £350","historicalContext":"Images of historic figures, usually eminent monks or mahasiddhas (saints who have attained supernatural powers through the perfection of tantric rites), represent an important genre in Tibetan art.  This image has a dedicatory inscription around the base naming the lama.  He may be identified with a distinguished Sakya abbot of that name who lived from 1147 to 1216.  An eminent teacher, he makes the gesture of expounding the dharma (Buddhist law) and wears the distinctive \"cloud collar\", a garment probably of central Asian origin.","briefDescription":"The abbot Jetsun Drakpa Gyaltsan, gilt bronze with inlaid copper lips and silver eyes, Tibet, 16th century.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"Tibetan art / John Lowry. London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1973","id":"AUTH344050"},"details":"p. 35, pl. 12","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"Ayers, J. Oriental Art in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London 1983, ISBN 0-85667-120-7","id":"AUTH347571"},"details":"p. 89","free":""}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Buddhism","id":"AAT73738"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["IS.13:1-1971"],"accessionNumberNum":"13","accessionNumberPrefix":"IS","accessionYear":1971,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-05-15","recordCreationDate":"2000-02-14","availableToBook":false}}