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Pair of snow lions Nepal, Kathmandu Valley 1815 Bronze 315/* × 32½ × 17P in. (80.3 × 82.6 × 45.1 cm) 31¼ × 31½ × 17P in. (79.4 × 80.0 × 45.1 cm) Gift of David T. Owsley via the Alvin and Lucy Owsley Foundation 1997.139.1–2
The artistic motif of the snow lion came to Nepal from Tibet probably in the sixteenth century. This pair of snow lions, inscribed with a date that translates to 1815, is heavily ornamented with jewels and decorative chains as well as elaborations of bodily features such as curls in the mane, tail, and even legs. Flames of wisdom flare up from the shoulders, and a jeweled ornament crowns the head. These types of extensive elaboration often distinguish Nepali art from Indian and Tibetan. This can be seen in sculpture as well as in paintings. The snow lion is one of the auspicious animals of Tibetan art and is the analogue of the less elaborate Indian lion, which
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Tibetans refer to as the “mud lion” (‘dam seng). These auspicious animals, including the snow lion and Indian archetypes such as the antelope-lion (shardula), eagle-lion (garuda), and crocodile-lion (makara), are frequently seen in paintings and sculptures of the Buddha. The snow lions often support the Buddha’s throne, and the antelope-lion and crocodile-lion stand on both sides of the throne, while the eagle-lion soars above. Each has a role corresponding to special qualities of the Buddha, as well as the function of providing a sense of protection and auspiciousness. For a human to see a real snow lion prancing across the peaks of the Himalayas, his natural abode, would be a very rare thing according to Tibetan authorities. Seeing any of these auspicious animals, just like seeing a buddha, bodhisattva, or other divinity, requires a tremendous amount of merit, much more than is possessed by ordinary humans. Fine art is therefore needed to allow ordinary persons to see these sublime beings that populate the sacred texts and oral traditions of Buddhism.
TH E A RTS O F THE HIMA LAYA S
Snow lions are responsible not just for upholding the Buddha’s throne, but also serve as the mount of Manjushri (lord of supreme wisdom), Vaishravana (lord of yakshas and god of wealth), Tashi Tseringma (goddess of the high Himalayas), and other deities. The snow lion supports the throne of the Medicine Buddha, and the milk of the snow lion is said to cure all illness and even banish the Lord of Death (Yama). The roar of the lion represents the fearlessness, unrivaled power, and incontrovertible nature of the Buddha’s speech. The snow lion represents the combination of the powerful king of beasts with the beauty and sublime qualities of a divine being incarnate in the world. These bronze snow lions show the ferocity of the mighty beast, with the large, sharp fangs in their open mouths, the powerful claws, and the solid, brawny build of their bodies. They demonstrate their divine status through details of their bodily features and the ornamentations of auspicious jewels. R.C.