Dimensions: Height 11,1 cm Wide 3,6 cm Depth 2,6 cm

Weight: 35,1 grams

A small wooden figure of a Tibetan lama, carved in the round and standing on a lotus pedestal. The lama is depicted in monastic robes, the folds rendered in simple but effective incisions, with traces of red and black pigment still visible on the surface. The figure’s head is shaved, the facial features broad and schematic, suggesting both authority and humility. The right hand is held at the chest in a gesture that may allude to teaching or recitation, while the left hand holds a small rounded object, perhaps symbolic of a ritual implement or offering.

Wooden sculptures of this kind are rare survivals from Tibet, where gilt bronze was the more common medium. They were typically produced in local monastic contexts, intended for private shrines or as portable devotional figures. The modest scale and straightforward carving style reflect the intimate function of such pieces, serving as reminders of the presence of the lama and his role as guide within the Buddhist path.