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Dhumavati Sri Devi

early 15th century
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
Identifiable by her mule conveyance, Sri Devi is the chief protector of Tibet, where she is known as Palden Lhamo. This metal sculpture once adorned a tashi gomang stupa (memorial reliquary for corporeal remains of eminent abbots) at Densatil monastery. Such images were fabricated using the lost-wax method, which involved creating a clay mold from a wax model, melting and draining the wax, and pouring molten metal into the mold to form the sculpture. Finishing, gilding, and inlaying precious stones completed the image.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Dhumavati Sri Devi
  • Date: early 15th century
  • Culture: Central Tibet, Densatil monastery
  • Medium: Gilt copper alloy with inlays of semiprecious stones
  • Dimensions: H. 18 in. (45.7 cm); W. 19 in. (48.3 cm); D. 7 in. (17.8 cm); Wt. 100 lbs. (45.4 kg)
    Mount dimensions: H. 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm); W. 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm); D. 7 3/16 in. (18.3 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork
  • Credit Line: Lent by Asia Society, New York, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert H. Kinney in honor of Vishakha Desai, 2012.4
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art