A turquoise-inlaid gilt-copper alloy figure of Virupa, Tibet, 15th century | 西藏 十五世紀 銅合金鎏金嵌寶毘魯巴尊者像

The Indian mahasiddha Virupa (fl. 9th century) was a monk at the renowned eastern Indian monastery of Somapuri, before being ejected for misbehavior and becoming a wandering ascetic and performer of miracles. The raised right finger indicates an episode while drinking at an inn. When the barmaid asked for payment he pledged her the sun, and by pointing at it he stopped its motion and continued drinking. This finely cast miniature sculpture of the mahasiddha would have been the personal meditation image of a Tibetan devotee, possibly a Sakya order adherent.