Tsa-tsas are stamped clay images of Buddhist deities, made from a bronze mold. This Tsa-tsa is made of wax, and is from the same mold as 9-21957. The creation of tsa-tsas is in itself considered a merit making activity. At certain occasions, such as the death of a loved one, a Buddhist may make a large number of tsa-tsas and dedicate the merit to the departed one. The tsa-tsas may be placed within a stupa, or in an amulet worn around the neck, or otherwise installed in a sacred place.Represented here, are Heruka with consort. These are likely from the hand of the Neychung Oracle of some great Lama.
Collection place:
Tibet
Verbatim coll. place:
Tibet
Collector:
Theos C. Bernard
Materials:
Clay
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Amulets
Function:
5.0 Use not specified (Ritual, Pageantry, and Recreation)
Production date:
19th-20th century
Department:
Asia (except western Russia)
Comment:
Note that the photo of this item was wrongly labeled “T-54a-e.TIF” rather than “T-154a-e.TIF” and this mistake was burned into the CD.