Portrait of Sakya Pandita
Tibet
15th century
Gilt copper
Height: 23.5 cm

The Sakya order was the dominant religious school in Tibet during the 13th and 14th centuries, mainly due to the political skills of the sixth abbot of Sakya, Kunga Gyaltshen, known as Sakya Pandita (1182-1251), who was made regent of Tibet in 1247 by the dominant Mongol chieftains. Sakya Pandita is portrayed in an elegant 15th century gilt copper image, 23.5 cm high. His hands are in the teaching gesture, dharmachakra, holding the stems of flowers that support a sword and book, the emblems of knowledge. The book at his left shoulder has the blue-black pages of Tibetan manuscripts indicated by inset lapis lazuli.