ClayBurma, 12th century, Pagan PeriodDimensions: Height 17 cm x 15 cm without baseWeight: 950 grams with baseTraditional Buddhist art from Tibet, tsa tsas are usually made from clay in a metal mould with the reversed image of a deity, stupa or other religious object. The making of tsa tsas is used by Tibetans to collect merits and is one of the initial practices of Vajrayana Buddhism. Tsa tsas were placed in shrines, at stupas, holy caves or used in smaller version to be placed in the mobile shrines called ghaus.This tsa tsa depicts a seated Buddha flanked by two standing disciples showing the abhaya and varada mudra. The Buddha in the center is touching the earth, signifying the subduing of demon Mara. All three figures are set in separate alcoves with beaded pillars and decorative pointy arches. Above them are remains of temple bells. There is a sanskrit inscription below the Buddha. The back is flat.