Padmasambhava – Early Ladakh Wooden Sculpture with Original Polychromy (ca. 1450–1550)
This monumental 44 cm wooden statue of Padmasambhava, master of Tibetan Buddhism, preserves rare traces of its original polychromy and gilding. Carved with powerful archaic features and rich spiritual presence, it represents one of the earliest Himalayan depictions of the Guru. Fully examined under UV and microscopy, confirming authentic age, natural oxidation and original paint layers. A museum-level piece of exceptional preservation and historical depth.
Valuation Report
Examined with museum-grade analytical methods (UV 365 nm and microscopy).
Material: carved hardwood with remains of original 24 kt gold leaf and mineral pigments (sindoor red, green copper pigment, black outline layers).
Technique: fully hand-carved; hollow-back structure with traditional consecration cavity.
Height: 44 cm
Period: ca. 15th – 16th century
Region: Ladakh / West Tibet
Condition: excellent preservation with original gilding and pigment layers intact; no modern repaint or restoration detected.
1stbuddha Retail Valuation: €120 000 – €160 000
Technical documentation: UV test · microscopy documentation
More: https://www.1stbuddha.com/padmasambhava-guru-rinpoche.html
Padmasambhava – Early Ladakh Wooden Sculpture with Original Polychromy (ca. 1450–1550)
Description
This impressive 44 cm wooden figure of Padmasambhava, the tantric master revered as the “Second Buddha” of Tibet, stands among the finest early Himalayan wooden sculptures known in private hands. The carving displays all the hallmarks of archaic Ladakhi or West-Tibetan craftsmanship: broad shoulders, angular facial planes, and a compact lotus base with a raised rim — a feature characteristic of 15th-century works.
Microscopic and UV examination reveal genuine polychrome stratigraphy: multiple mineral pigment layers (red sindoor, green copper-based paint, and traces of gold) sealed under an aged organic coating. No evidence of modern repainting or restoration was found. The interior structure appears hollow, consistent with traditional construction methods used for consecrated figures.
The statue’s stylistic gravity, surface oxidation and pigment fluorescence confirm a dating to circa 1450–1550, earlier than the refined 16th-century Padmasambhava preserved in the Patan Museum. This piece retains the robust, powerful expression of a masterwork created for ritual use rather than display — a rare survival in this state of preservation.
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Padmasambhava – Early Ladakh Wooden Sculpture with Original Polychromy (ca. 1450–1550)
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