Tibetan Gilded Copper Plaque of a Rampant Snow Lion

This small gilded copper plaque with dramatic blue highlights most probably was part of the gilded cladding of a throne for a senior lama in a Tibetan monastery.

It shows a dynamically rendered rampant snow lion, standing on its hind legs and with fore legs aloft. On the left is a typically Himalayan border of foliage scrollwork, that includes four box settings that formerly would have held turquoise and coral cabochons.

The snow lion is shown with a gaping mouth with fangs exposed. It’s bushy tail can be seen between its legs and curling around to its chest. The mane is particularly ample and the eyebrows bushy. Each of these has been coloured in bright blue pigment, providing a pleasing contrast with the gold.

Tibet is known as the ‘Land of the Snow Lion’.  In the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition, the snow lion is one of the four ‘dignities’ associated with the ‘wind horse’. The other three are the dragon, the garuda, and the tiger.

The blue pigmentation has been achieved with the application of Reckitt’s Blue, a laundry whitening powder produced in Britain and exported to its colonies. Reckitt’s Blue seems to have been traded from India to Tibet at the end of the 19th century where it was used as a blueing agent on statues and plaques such as the example here. It was used, for example, to add blue pigmentation to the black hair of often old Buddha images and the like. Reckitt’s Blue was used in this unexpected manner around the world from the tribal Highlands of New Guinea to Nepal and Tibet because previously, a bright blue colour had always been difficult and expensive to achieve.

The plaque is in fine condition. There are no repairs, cracks, weaknesses or amendments.

It is accompanied by a custom-made, quality black metal display stand.