King Songtsen Gambo Tibet, 13th Century

Potala Palace Collection Photo Courtesy of Bowers Museum A rare surviving imperial portrait, made in the 13th century, this finely detailed sculpture honors the great Tibetan king, Songtsen Gambo, who in the 7th century, united Tibet into a large and influential Asian kingdom. Through his two marriages to Nepalese and Chinese princesses, he established Buddhism in Tibet. The small head that tops his headdress is that of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion and the patron deity of Tibet.

all images and text © Bowers Museum and Tibet Museum