Great Hierarch

Sculptural portraits of such commanding dimensions are extremely rare in Western museum collections, especially those made of precious metal. Such portraits were produced to commemorate only the highest religious dignitaries, although this sculpture’s subject still remains unidentified. The teacher has his hands in the gesture of touching the earth, signifying his awakened state. The robe decoration features many auspicious symbols ranging from the Chinese character for longevity (shou) to auspicious flower and cloud motifs. The scarf is also decorated with auspicious symbols, including the “gems of a universal monarch” such as a rhinoceros horn, coral, square, and round pairs of earrings.