QuickTime VR Objects

SADDLE FOR A HIGH LAMA 20th century Wood, pigments, leather, brocaded silk, and silver Even the highest-ranking members of the Buddhist church rode on horseback. This saddle was created specifically for a high lama.

GREEN HORSE'S HEAD FOR MAITREYA'S CART Dulamin Damdinsuren (1868-1938), early 20th century Wood, velvet, metal fittings, paint, and horsehair During the Maitreya Festival, Maitreya's horse-headed cart (pictured in no. 42) was pushed around the ceremonial circle by monks, who stopped at the cardinal points to chant prayers.

BEGTSE SHRINE Suren, early 20th century Painted wood This fantastic creation showing Begtse and his retinue inside a skeletal shrine is the work of Suren, a famous Mongol sculptor of the early twentieth century.

STANDING MAITREYA Zanabazar (1635-1723), late 17th-early 18th century Gilt bronze with traces of colors Maitreya is the Buddha of Future, the successor of Shakyamuni.

SITASAMVARA WITH HIS CONSORT Zanabazar (1635-1723), late 17th century Gilt bronze with colors Sitasamvara is a benevolent form of the popular tutelary divinity, shown here embracing his consort, Vajravarahi.