DENSATIL, CENTRAL TIBET, 14TH CENTURY Himalayan Art Resources item no.4508 18.5 cm (7 1/4 in.) highFootnotes丹薩替 藏中 十四世紀 銅鎏金三葉飾板 Built upon the meditation spot of Phagmodrupa Dorje Gyalpo (1110-70), who was considered a Second Buddha, Densatil monastery housed one of the great artistic wonders of Tibet. Eight glittering tashi gomang stupas were erected during the late-13th to 15th centuries, steeped in densely cast and gilded bronze deities. This beautiful three-lobed plaque would have belonged to one of these golden stupas. In a triangular configuration, three celestial adorants (vidyadharas) gambol above a talismanic kirttimukha mask, each smiling and presenting offerings. The plaque is bordered by a band of openwork foliate sprays bearing wish-fulfilling gems (cintamani). Trefoil plaques such as this embellished the corners of a Densatil stupa's second and third tiers (from top to bottom). Compare to a closely related plaque at the Rubin Museum of Art, New York (Czaja & Proser, Golden Visions of Densatil, 2014, pp.160-1, no.41). Also see Christie's, Amsterdam, 13 April 1999, lot 85, and Pal, Nepal: Old Images, New Insights, 2005, p.13, fig.6. Provenance: Private Hong Kong Collection