Ming & Qing
Periods
in China

In the Ming Court, Buddhist Art was a political tool to assert Chinese strength over Tibet and Mongolia. Nevertheless, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism were supported by the Yongle emperor (r. 1402 – 1424). Dozens of gilt copper alloy Buddhist sculptures were part of the Yongle imperial legacy. Across history, their bronzes traveled between China and Tibet.

A gilt copper alloy figure of Kapaladhara Hevajra
Cat. no. 25 A gilt copper alloy figure of Kapaladhara Hevajra Ming Dynasty Xuande period (1425-35) 28 cm high
A gilt copper alloy figure of Manjushri
Cat. no. 24 A gilt copper alloy figure of Manjushri Ming Dynasty Yongle period (1402-24) 17.6 cm high