A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF MILAREPA TIBET, 16TH CENTURY |

seated in lalitasana on an antelope skin placed over a double lotus base, his right hand raised and cupping the ear, while the left elbow rests on the knee and holding an antelope horn, the face framed by pendulous earlobes adorned with spiral earrings, portrayed wearing loose robes hemmed with decorative motifs

The Radiant Ming 1368-1644 through the Min Chiu Society Collection, Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong, 2015, cat. no. 250.

The sculpture is in overall good condition. There are some wear and some pitting in areas to the ‎gilding. There is a small repair in the cast to the rear of the lotus base by the bottom edge. The base is sealed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Milarepa (1040-1123) is revered by Tibetans as the archetypal yogin and renowned for his unwavering pursuit of knowledge. Prior to receiving his Buddhist teachings from Marpa (1012-1096), the founder of Kagyu school, Milarepa's youth was fraught with uncertainty. The stories of Milarepa's trials while apprenticed to Marpa have become lauded as legendary. During Milarepa's initial tutelage for the pursuit of Dharma, Marpa instructed the novice Milarepa to complete a series of frustrating tasks. Frustrated by his own lack of progress and inability to understand Marpa's hesitation to bestow his teachings, Milarepa had given up on several occasions. Due to a lack of satisfaction, Milarepa found himself always returning to Marpa and for his persistence, Marpa had finally bestowed his teachings to Milarepa. Having suffered so greatly throughout his training, Milarepa had achieved sublime perception upon attaining enlightenment and had utilised such enlightenment to colour his sublime poetry and songs for which Milarepa is renowned. Seeking to praise nature and inspire those around him, Milarepa used simple and plain folk songs to relay his message.

The unique posture of his right hand signifies that his esoteric teachings belong to the 'Ear-whispered Lineage', essential teachings that are transmitted by whispering into the recipient's ear. Compare a Tibetan fifteenth-century example in the Rietberg Museum collection, see Helmut Uhlig, On the Path to Enlightenment, Zurich, 1995, p. 182, cat. no. 126.