A LARGE AND RARE SILVER- AND COPPER-INLAID BRONZE FIGURE OF SANS.RGYAS.'PHEL, TIBET, early 16th ct., seated in vajrasana on a lotus base with his right hand resting on his right leg in the varadamudra while the left is raised in vitarkamudra, both hand-palms cast with a lotus flower, wearing various monastic garments including under-garment inlaid with copper, patchwork mantle, its borders finely engraved with scrolling tendrils, his face displaying a serene expression with silver-inlaid downcast eyes below slightly arched eyebrows, copper-inlaid smiling lips and shaven hair-dress, a lengthy double line inscription around the rim of the base in dBu.can script. The first line can be translated as follow: 'I bow down for the Lord of the Teachings Sans.rgyas.'phel, the highest keeper of the Buddha teachings, the right promoter of the teachings of the holy text and its understanding, of all texts and understanding, which can be learned from the sutras and tantras. This figure was commissioned by dKon, rGyal (and) Zhan. The second line reads: 'Through this positive white deed, of commissioning this honorable figure, may the lotus garden of the teachings of explaining and realization blossom, may all plans and deeds of the evil-willing enemies and demons be destroyed, may all living souls, as many as (the stars of) the heaven, longing fast to Buddhahood', with inventory number BT 78, sealed - Minor wear