Yogi Milarepa (c. 1032–c. 1135) / Artist Unknown, Tibet or Nepal
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About this Item
Record Details
- Accession Number
- 1981/2.56
- Title
- Yogi Milarepa (c. 1032–c. 1135)
- Artist Nationality
- Tibetan or Nepalese
- Medium and Support
- bronze
- Object Creation Date
- n.d.
- Object Creation Place
- Asia (continent)
- China (nation)
- Tibet (autonomous region)
- Creation Place 1
- Asia (continent)
- Creation Place 2
- China (nation)
- Creation Place 3
- Tibet (autonomous region)
- Style/Group/Movement
- Buddhist miniature bronze
- Dimensions
- 6 cm x 5 cm x 4.1 cm (2 3/8 in. x 1 15/16 in. x 1 5/8 in.)
- Primary Object Classification
- Sculpture
- Primary Object Type
- casting
- Secondary Object Classification
- Ritual Objects
- Physical Description
- A miniature sculpture of a the Tibetan yogin Milarepa as a rotund figure, seated in lalitasana (the posture of royal ease, with one knee drawn up and the other relaxed) on an antelope skin (the head of the antelope can be discerned just under the figure's left foot, as an incised design). The right hand is raised, cusping the right ear as though to better hear, while the left elbow rests on the left knee, and the right hand holds a nettle-shell bowl. Wrapped around his torso, from his right shoulder to his left knee, is a sash (sometimes referred to as a meditation belt), which allows him to keep his body upright during long hours of meditation. The base, cast in a single piece with the figure, is decorated with beading and a single band of lotus petals.
- Subject Matter
- The beloved Tibetan yoga master Milarepa (a historical person, 1040–1123) is identified here by his characteristic gesture of cupping his right hand to his ear, "as though listening to the voice of inspiration." Famous for his antisocial and unorthodox behavior, Milarepa attained the ultimate Buddhist goal of a spiritual awakening in a single lifetime, without becoming a monk. He is the subject of untold numbers of paintings and sculptures, across many centuries, as he is revered by lay followers of Tibetan Buddhism.
- Primary Keywords
- buddhism
- earrings
- himalayan
- lotus
- miniature (size attribute)
- saint
- tibetan
- vajrayana
- Secondary Keywords
- asian
- associated concepts
- attributes and properties
- attributes and properties by specific type
- costume
- costume accessories
- costume accessories worn
- descriptors
- design elements
- ear ornaments
- form attributes
- jewelry
- jewelry by location
- jewelry worn on the head
- motifs
- objects we use
- people
- people (agents)
- people and culture
- people by state or condition
- plant-derived motifs
- religions
- religions and religious concepts
- size (extent)
- size by specific type
- south asian
- styles and periods
- styles and periods by region
- Rights
- If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/about/services/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Technical Details
- Collection
- University of Michigan Museum of Art
- Image Size
- 709 x 865
- File Size
- 70 KB
- Record
- 1981/2.56
- Link to this Item
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1981-sl-2.56/1981_2.56.jpg
Rights and Permissions
Related Links
Portfolios
IIIF
- Manifest
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1981-SL-2.56:1981_2.56.JPG
Cite this Item
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- Full citation
-
"Yogi Milarepa (c. 1032–c. 1135); Artist Unknown, Tibet or Nepal." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1981-sl-2.56/1981_2.56.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 19, 2024.
