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Traditional Buddhist organized in the middle of of a circle surrounded by eight additional circles

Exhibition

Mandalas: Mapping the Buddhist Art of Tibet

Overview Exhibition Objects Related Content

Biography of a Thought, Tenzing Rigdol, Acrylic on stretched canvas and woven carpet, Nepal — Biography of a Thought
Tenzing Rigdol
2022–24

The Transcendent Buddha Akshobhya, Unidentified ; Newari working in Tibet, Distemper on cloth, Central Tibet — The Transcendent Buddha Akshobhya
Unidentified
13th or early 14th century

Portrait of a Kadam Master with Buddhas and His Lineage, Distemper on cloth, Tibet (Central) — Portrait of a Kadam Master with Buddhas and His Lineage
Tibet (Central)
c. 1180–1220

Portrait of the Third Kagyu Taklung Abbot, Sangye Yarjon, Distemper and gold on cloth, Central Tibet — Portrait of the Third Kagyu Taklung Abbot, Sangye Yarjon
Central Tibet
ca. 1262–63

Portrait of the Last Indian Pandit, Vanaratna, Distemper on cloth, Central Tibet — Portrait of the Last Indian Pandit, Vanaratna
Central Tibet
first half 15th century

The Founding Masters of Taklung Monastery, Taglung Tangpa Chenpo, Ground mineral pigment on cotton, Tibet — The Founding Masters of Taklung Monastery
Taglung Tangpa Chenpo
last quarter 13th century

Portrait of the Indian Monk Atisha, Distemper and gold on cloth, Tibet — Portrait of the Indian Monk Atisha
Tibet
early to mid-12th century

Portrait of Shakyashribhadra with His Life Episodes and Lineage, Distemper on cloth, Tibet — Portrait of Shakyashribhadra with His Life Episodes and Lineage
Tibet
early to mid-14th century

Portrait of the Monk Ngorchen and His Successor München, Distemper and gold on cotton, Tibet (Central) — Portrait of the Monk Ngorchen and His Successor München
Tibet (Central)
1450–1500

Manuscript Cover with Prajnaparamita Flanked by Ten Buddhas, Wood with gilding and polychrome, Tibet — Manuscript Cover with Prajnaparamita Flanked by Ten Buddhas
Tibet
late 12th century

Interior of a Manuscript Cover: Manjuvajra Embracing His Consort, with Attendant Lamas
, Distemper on wood, Tibet — Interior of a Manuscript Cover: Manjuvajra Embracing His Consort, with Attendant Lamas
Tibet
late 13th century

Pair of Manuscript Covers, Each with Five Deities, Distemper and gilt on wood, Tibet — Pair of Manuscript Covers, Each with Five Deities
Tibet
ca. late 11th century

Pair of Manuscript Covers with Buddhist Deities, Ink and color on wood, Nepal — Pair of Manuscript Covers with Buddhist Deities
Nepal
11th–12th century

Pair of Manuscript Covers Illustrating Sadaprarudita’s Self-Sacrifice, Distemper on wood, Nepal, Kathmandu Valley — Pair of Manuscript Covers Illustrating Sadaprarudita’s Self-Sacrifice
Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
12th century

Cover for an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra, Ink and color on wood, with metal insets, Nepal, Kathmandu Valley — Cover for an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra
Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
10th–11th century

Four Leaves from a Gandavyuha Manuscript, Ink and opaque watercolor on palm leaf, Nepal — Four Leaves from a Gandavyuha Manuscript
Nepal
late 11th–early 12th century

Fragmentary Leaf from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra, Unidentified Artist, Kashmiri, Gold, lapis lazuli, cinnabar, indigo, and orpiment pigments and black ink on paper, Kashmir or western Tibet — Fragmentary Leaf from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra
Unidentified
12th century

Fragmentary Leaf from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra, Unidentified Artist, Kashmiri, Gold, lapis lazuli, cinnabar, indigo, and orpiment pigments and black ink on paper, Kashmir or western Tibet — Fragmentary Leaf from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra
Unidentified
12th century

Fragmentary Leaf from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra, Unidentified Artist, Kashmiri, Gold, lapis lazuli, cinnabar, indigo, and orpiment pigments and black ink on paper, Kashmir or western Tibet, 12th century — Fragmentary Leaf from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra
Unidentified
12th century

Leaves from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra, Mahavihara Master, Opaque watercolor, black carbon-based ink, and mineral- and vegetable-based pigments on palm leaf, India, Bengal or Bangladesh — Leaves from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra
Mahavihara Master
early 12th century

Leaves from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra, Mahavihara Master, Opaque watercolor, black carbon-based ink, and mineral- and vegetable-based pigments on palm leaf, India, West Bengal or Bangladesh — Leaves from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra
Mahavihara Master
early 12th century

Leaves from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra, Mahavihara Master, Ofpaque watercolor, black carbon-based ink, and mineral- and vegetable-based pigments on palm leaf, India, West Bengal or Bangladesh — Leaves from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra
Mahavihara Master
early 12th century

Leaves from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra, Mahavihara Master, Opaque watercolor, black carbon-based ink, and mineral- and vegetable-based pigments on palm leaf, India, West Bengal or Bangladesh — Leaves from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra
Mahavihara Master
early 12th century

Five Leaves from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra, Ink and opaque watercolor on palm leaf, India, Bihar, Nalanda monastery — Five Leaves from an Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra
India, Bihar, Nalanda monastery
third quarter 11th century

The Bodhisattva Vajrapani, Sandstone, Eastern India, Bihar, probably Nalanda — The Bodhisattva Vajrapani
Eastern India, Bihar, probably Nalanda
7th–early 8th century

The Bodhisattva Vajrapani, Distemper on cotton, Western Tibet, Guge — The Bodhisattva Vajrapani
Western Tibet, Guge
early 12th century

Thousand-Armed Chenresi, a Cosmic Form of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Distemper and gold on cloth, Tibet — Thousand-Armed Chenresi, a Cosmic Form of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
Tibet
14th century

Thousand-Armed Chenresi, a Cosmic Form of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Sonam Gyaltsen Tibetan, Gilt copper alloy, Central Tibet, Shigatse — Thousand-Armed Chenresi, a Cosmic Form of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
Sonam Gyaltsen
1430

Shadakshari Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Distemper on cloth, Tibet — Shadakshari Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion
Tibet
1300–1350

The Bodhisattva Maitreya, Buddha of the Future, School of Zanabazar, Gilt bronze, blue pigment, and traces of other pigments, Mongolia — The Bodhisattva Maitreya, Buddha of the Future
School of Zanabazar
second half 17th century

The Bodhisattva Maitreya, Buddha of the Future, Distemper on cloth, Tibet — The Bodhisattva Maitreya, Buddha of the Future
Tibet
11th or early 12th century

Mahapratisara, the Buddhist Protectress, Black stone, India, Bihar — Mahapratisara, the Buddhist Protectress
India, Bihar
10th century

Ushnishavijaya, The Goddess of Longevity, Distemper on silk, Central Tibet — Ushnishavijaya, The Goddess of Longevity
Central Tibet
ca. 1300

Hevajra and Nairātmyā, Brass with silver and pigment, Tibet — Hevajra and Nairātmyā
Tibet
late 12th century

Tara, the Buddhist Savior, Gilt copper alloy with color and semiprecious stone inlay, Nepal, Kathmandu Valley — Tara, the Buddhist Savior
Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
14th century

Ashtamahabhaya Tara, Savior from the Eight Perils, Mineral and organic pigments on cloth, Tibet, Reting monastery — Ashtamahabhaya Tara, Savior from the Eight Perils
Tibet, Reting monastery
late 12th century

Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Silk appliqué with damask, satin, brocade, and leather substrate with silver finish and embroidery with silk cord, China — Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom
China
17th–18th century

Vajracharya Priest’s Crown, Gilt copper alloy with semiprecious stones, lapis lazuli, and turquoise inlays, Nepal — Vajracharya Priest’s Crown
Nepal
13th–early 14th century

The Bodhisattva Manjushri as a Ferocious Destroyer of Ignorance, Gilt-copper alloy with color and gold paint, Nepal, Kathmandu Valley — The Bodhisattva Manjushri as a Ferocious Destroyer of Ignorance
Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
10th century

Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Brass with inlays of copper and silver, Western Tibet — Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom
Western Tibet
late 10th–early 11th century

Crown Ornament for a Deity, Gilt silver, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, garnets, pearls, lapis lazuli, coral, shell, and turquoise, Newari for Tibetan Market — Crown Ornament for a Deity
Newari for Tibetan Market
17th–19th century

Crown Ornament for a Deity, Gilt silver, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, garnets, pearls, lapis lazuli, coral, shell, and turquoise, Newari for Tibetan Market — Crown Ornament for a Deity
Newari for Tibetan Market
17th–19th century

Armlet for an Image with Crossed Vajras, Mercury, gilt silver, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, pearls, lapis lazuli, coral, shell, and turquoise, Nepal — Armlet for an Image with Crossed Vajras
Nepal
17th–19th century

Dish for Ritual Offerings, Gilt silver, rock crystal, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, yellow quartz, garnets, spinels, coral, shell, lapis lazuli, and semiprecious stones, Nepal — Dish for Ritual Offerings
Nepal
17th–19th century

Ear Ornament for a Deity, Gold, coral, and turquoise, Nepal — Ear Ornament for a Deity
Nepal
17th–19th century

Ear Ornament for a Deity, Gold, coral, and turquoise, Nepal — Ear Ornament for a Deity
Nepal
17th–19th century

Forehead Ornament for a Deity, Gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, garnet, lapis lazuli, coral, and turquoise, Newari, for the Nepalese or Tibetan market — Forehead Ornament for a Deity
Newari, for the Nepalese or Tibetan market
17th–19th century

Ear Ornament for a Deity, Mercury, gilt silver, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, lapis lazuli, coral, pearls, and turquoise, Nepal — Ear Ornament for a Deity
Nepal
17th–19th century

Ear Ornament for a Deity, Mercury, gilt silver, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, lapis lazuli, coral, pearls, and turquoise, Nepal — Ear Ornament for a Deity
Nepal
17th–19th century

Forehead Ornament for a Deity, Gilt silver, brass, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, pearls, coral, shell, turquoise, and semiprecious stones, Newari, for the Nepalese or Tibetan market — Forehead Ornament for a Deity
Newari, for the Nepalese or Tibetan market
17th–19th century

Amulet Box of a Noblewoman, Gold, beryl, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and turquoise, Tibet — Amulet Box of a Noblewoman
Tibet
late 19th–early 20th century

Vajradhatu (Diamond Realm) Mandala, Distemper and gold on cloth, Central Tibet — Vajradhatu (Diamond Realm) Mandala
Central Tibet
14th century

Chakrasamvara Mandala, Distemper on cloth, Nepal — Chakrasamvara Mandala
Nepal
ca. 1100

Mandala of Jnanadakini, Distemper on cloth, Tibet — Mandala of Jnanadakini
Tibet
late 14th century

Chemchok Heruka Mandala, Mineral pigments on cotton, Tibet — Chemchok Heruka Mandala
Tibet
second half 12th century

Manjuvajra Mandala, Distemper and gold on cotton, Tibet — Manjuvajra Mandala
Tibet
late 12th century

Four Mandalas of the Vajravali Series, Distemper on cloth, Tibet — Four Mandalas of the Vajravali Series
Tibet
ca. 1429–56

Vajrabhairava mandala, Silk tapestry (kesi), China — Vajrabhairava mandala
China
ca. 1330–32

Hevajra Mandala, Distemper on cloth, Tibet — Hevajra Mandala
Tibet
15th century

Mandala of Raktayamari, Mikyo Dorje, Distemper on cloth, Central Tibet — Mandala of Raktayamari
Mikyo Dorje
late 14th century

Initiation Cards (Tsakalis), Opaque watercolor on paper, Tibet — Initiation Cards (Tsakalis)
Tibet
early 15th century

Mahasiddha Virupa, Distemper and gold on cloth, Central Tibet — Mahasiddha Virupa
Central Tibet
second quarter 13th century

Mahasiddha Jnanatapa, Distemper on cloth, Eastern Tibet, Kham, Riwoche monastery — Mahasiddha Jnanatapa
Eastern Tibet, Kham, Riwoche monastery
ca. 1350

Kurukulla, Appliqued satin, brocade and damask, embroidered silk and painted details, Tibet — Kurukulla
Tibet
19th century

Dhumavati Sri Devi, Gilt copper alloy with inlays of semiprecious stones, Central Tibet, Densatil monastery — Dhumavati Sri Devi
Central Tibet, Densatil monastery
early 15th century

The Fivefold Form of Vajravarahi, Distemper on cloth, Tibet — The Fivefold Form of Vajravarahi
Tibet
late 12th century

Vajravarahi, Copper alloy, gilding, and paint with inlaid turquoise, Tibet — Vajravarahi
Tibet
c. 18th century

Twelve-Armed Chakrasamvara and His Consort Vajravarahi, Phyllite, India (West Bengal) or Bangladesh — Twelve-Armed Chakrasamvara and His Consort Vajravarahi
India (West Bengal) or Bangladesh
ca. 12th century

Mahasiddha Kirapalapa, Terracotta, Nepal, Kathmandu Valley — Mahasiddha Kirapalapa
Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
ca. 14th century

Ritual Dagger (Phurba) and Stand, Ebony with polychrome, Tibet — Ritual Dagger (Phurba) and Stand
Tibet
late 14th–early 15th century

Hevajra with the Footprints of the Kagyu Patriarch Tashipel, Mineral pigments and gold on silk and cotton, Tibet, Taklung — Hevajra with the Footprints of the Kagyu Patriarch Tashipel
Tibet, Taklung
1180–1210

Tantric Rug with Two Flayed Male Figures, Wool, cotton, and dye, Tibet — Tantric Rug with Two Flayed Male Figures
Tibet
18th–19th century

Ekajata Attribute Mandala, Distemper on cotton, Central Tibet — Ekajata Attribute Mandala
Central Tibet
ca. 1800

Raktayamari with His Consort Vajravetali, Distemper and gold on cloth, Central Tibet — Raktayamari with His Consort Vajravetali
Central Tibet
14th century

Chakrasamvara with His Consort Vajravarahi, Distemper on cotton, Central Tibet — Chakrasamvara with His Consort Vajravarahi
Central Tibet
1450–1500

Achala with His Consort Vishvavajri, Distemper on cloth, Nepal, Kathmandu Valley — Achala with His Consort Vishvavajri
Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
1525–50

Guhyasamaja, Distemper, gold, and ink on cloth, Western Tibet — Guhyasamaja
Western Tibet
late 15th century

Mahasiddhas Virupa and Krishnapa, Distemper on cloth, Tibet — Mahasiddhas Virupa and Krishnapa
Tibet
1429–56

Mahasiddha Padampa Sangye, Distemper on cotton, Tibet — Mahasiddha Padampa Sangye
Tibet
14th century

Mahasiddha Virupa, Appliqué silk, Tibet — Mahasiddha Virupa
Tibet
18th century

Stag Mask, Papier-mâché, polychrome, gilding, leather, and silk, Tibet — Stag Mask
Tibet
late 19th–early 20th century

Monastic Dance Robe, Plain-weave silk brocaded with silk and metallic thread, China — Monastic Dance Robe
China
early 19th century

Crowned Buddha Shakyamuni, Schist, India, Bihar or West Bengal — Crowned Buddha Shakyamuni
India, Bihar or West Bengal
11th century

Skeleton Dance Costume, Silk and flannel, Tibet — Skeleton Dance Costume
Tibet
late 19th or early 20th century

Skeleton mask, Papier-mâché, Bhutan — Skeleton mask
Bhutan
20th century

Mahakala, Black stone, India, Bihar — Mahakala
India, Bihar
11th–12th century

Yama Dharmaraja, Wood, metal, and pigments, Mongolia — Yama Dharmaraja
Mongolia
18th–19th century

Phurba Emanation of Padmasambhava, Polychromed wood, Tibet — Phurba Emanation of Padmasambhava
Tibet
ca. 17th century

Vajra Flaying Knife, Steel with gold and silver inlays, Eastern Tibet, Derge — Vajra Flaying Knife
Eastern Tibet, Derge
ca. 15th century

Ritual staff, Iron damascened with gold and silver, China — Ritual staff
China

Base from a Purification Brazier

, Iron damascened with gold and silver, Tibet, probably Derge — Base from a Purification Brazier
Tibet, probably Derge
15th–17th century

Skull Cup (kapala), Stone, Tibet — Skull Cup (kapala)
Tibet
19th century

Pair of Butter Lamps, Gilt silver with repoussé and engraving, Central Tibet — Pair of Butter Lamps
Central Tibet
19th century

Vajra with Angry Heads and Makara Prongs, Gilt bronze, China — Vajra with Angry Heads and Makara Prongs
China

Sword Guard, Iron, gold, silver, copper, Tibetan or Chinese — Sword Guard
Tibetan or Chinese
14th–15th century

Sword (Ral gri), Iron, steel, gold, silver, Tibetan or Chinese — Sword (Ral gri)
Tibetan or Chinese
14th–16th century

Hilt of a Ritual or Votive Sword, Copper alloy, gold, Tibetan — Hilt of a Ritual or Votive Sword
Tibetan
possibly 15th–16th century

Quiver, Leather, shellac, pigment, Tibetan or Mongolian — Quiver
Tibetan or Mongolian
14th–16th century

Shield (phub), Cane, iron, brass, Tibetan — Shield (phub)
Tibetan
possibly 14th–16th century

Lamellar Armor (<i>byang bu'i khrab</i>), Iron, leather, Tibetan — Lamellar Armor (byang bu'i khrab)
Tibetan
16th–17th century

Leather Helmet with Auspicious Symbols, Leather, gold, shellac, pigments, Tibetan — Leather Helmet with Auspicious Symbols
Tibetan
15th–17th century

Dung Chen, Metal, Tibetan — Dung Chen
Tibetan

Rkangling, Copper, brass, glass, turquoise, coral, Tibetan — Rkangling
Tibetan
19th century

Rkangling, Copper, brass, glass, turquoise, coral, Tibetan — Rkangling
Tibetan
19th century

Rnga (Lag-Rnga), Wood, paint, lacquer, hide, Tibetan — Rnga (Lag-Rnga)
Tibetan
18th century

Sgra-Snyan, Unknown Maker , Tibet, Wood, hide, wire, polychrome, Tibetan — Sgra-Snyan
Unknown Maker
late 19th century

Chest with Scenes of Tantric Offerings, Polychrome wood with iron brackets, Tibet — Chest with Scenes of Tantric Offerings
Tibet
late 19th century

Palden Lhamo, Mineral pigments on cotton, Tibet — Palden Lhamo
Tibet
15th century

Mahakala, Protector of the Tent, Distemper on cloth, Central Tibet — Mahakala, Protector of the Tent
Central Tibet
ca. 1500

Mahakala, Mineral pigments on cotton, Tibet — Mahakala
Tibet
14th century

Vaishravana, Guardian of Buddhism and Protector of Riches, Distemper on cloth, Tibet — Vaishravana, Guardian of Buddhism and Protector of Riches
Tibet
15th century

Brahmarupa Mahakala, Brass, Tibet — Brahmarupa Mahakala
Tibet
17th century

Rahula, Gilt copper alloy, turquoise, and coral, Tibet — Rahula
Tibet
15th century