Portable Shrine

CHINA; Qing dynasty

This 19th century portable shrine is believed to have been carried by Tibetan monks. It has a trefoil design with two doors and it contains a number of gilt clay tsatsas among which in the upper center, there is a seated Sakyamuni Buddha above a standing Yamantaka with multiple heads and arms. Both images have a mandorla. In the arched niche on the left of the Buddha, there is a seated Tara. The remaining tsatsas are in the form of Dharma protectors and elders.
The outsides of the doors are painted with floral patterns, while the insides have depictions of a white conch, jewels, flowers, and musical instruments. There is a golden ring in the center of each door.