|
Seal of the Yuan Preceptor, Supervisor of Buddhist Affairs Jade China, Yuan Dynasty (1260-1368) H: 10 cm; L: 12 cm x 12 cm |
Tibet Museum, Lhasa Published: Tibet Museum Catalog, pp. 30-31, no. 3; Golden Treasures, pp. 22-23 This square jade seal bears a crouching mythical beast and was made for the Yuan Dynasty guoshi (National Preceptor). Its inscription is written in Phagpa script. After Phagpa was named National Preceptor, these titles became more and more honorific. The title guoshi became Guanding guoshi (Empowered as National Preceptor), and was later changed to Da Yuan guoshi (National Preceptor of the Great Yuan). |
all images and text © Bowers Museum and Tibet Museum