A GILDEN BRONZE FIGURE, 18TH-19TH CENTURY Depicting Padmasambhava (莲师八变), known as "The Rising Lotus," in gilded bronze with golden lacquer. This sculpture represents the eight manifestations of the spiritual master, each expressing a different aspect of his wisdom and power. The complex composition is enriched with accurate and symbolic details, with each figure arranged around the central master in a meditative position. Height: 19 cm 十八至十九世纪 铜胎后漆金莲花生菩提树 高19厘米 GILDED BRONZE STATUETTE, 18TH CENT. 18TH- Portrayal of Padmasambhava (莲师八变), known as 'The Rising Lotus', in gilded bronze with gold lacquer. This sculpture represents the eight manifestations of the spiritual master, each expressing a different aspect of his wisdom and power. The complex composition is enriched with accurate and symbolic details, with each figure arranged around the central master in a meditative position. H. 19 cm Brass Padmasambhava master and his emanations in the 14th century Tibetan style. Padmasambhava's Sanskrit name is 'Padmasambhava,' also known as Master Urgyen. He was an 8th century Indian monk from Uddiyana (present-day Kashmir region) invited to Tibet by the Trisong ruler Detsen (who ruled from 755 to 797). Thanks to his mystical powers, he succeeded in defeating the Bön religion, declaring that its deities had converted to Buddhism. Together with Master Shantarakshita, he founded the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, the Samye Monastery, and was later revered as the founder of the Nyingma school. He wears a sharp-tipped hat, holds a sceptre adorned with skulls, holds a skull cup in his left hand and a vajra in his right, sitting in a meditative posture on a lotus throne. His image shows Indian features, with two moustaches curled upwards, and an expression somewhere between serenity and anger. In this sculpture, Padmasambhava is the central figure, seated on the lotus flower, surrounded by the eight lotus flower emanations that represent the following eight aspects: Shakya Senge, Nyima Ozer, Senge Dradrok, Dorje Drolo, Pema Gyalpo, Pema Jungne, and Amoghasiddhi, figures that also appear in the ritual Nyingma dance. The ritual practice of Padmasambhava confers eight types of realisations. The sculpture, made of brass, features elaborate workmanship and ingenious design, making it extremely rare.