Saptadashashirshi Shri Devi

Object Details

• Label

  Lhamo, the protective deity of Lhasa, the capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Tibet, is one of a potent group of eight protectors of the Buddhist faith. She is also the patron deity of the Dalai Lama and all followers of the Gelukpa, or Yellow Hat, sect.

  The sculpture captures the vivacity and ferocity of Lhamo, whose three eyes are said to flash like lightning and whose eyebrows blaze like fire. Seated astride her wild donkey mount, she brandishes her sword over the heads of enemies. Surrounding her are nineteen attendant deities riding a variety of bird and animal mounts. This gilt-copper plaque was originally part of the decoration of the base of a funerary stupa at the renowned Densatil monastery in central Tibet.

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Golden Visions of Densatil: A Tibetan Buddhist Monastery (February 9 to May 18, 2014)

  Pilgrimage and Buddhist Art (March 16 to June 20, 2010)

  Devi: The Great Goddess (March 28 to September 6, 1999)

  Sculpture of South Asia and the Himalayas (May 4, 1988 to July 9, 2017)

• Origin

  Densatil Monastery, Central Tibet

• Credit Line

  Purchase -- funds provided by the Friends of Asian Arts in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1400s

• Place

  Densatil Monastery, Tibet

• Topic

  South Asian and Himalayan Art, Cats, Art, Animals, Donkey, Swords, Makara, Lhamo, Skull, Snakes

• Culture

  Buddhists, Himalayan peoples, South Asians

• Object Type

  Sculpture