Item: Miscellaneous - Torana
| Origin Location | Tibet |
|---|---|
| Date Range | 1300 - 1399 |
| Lineages | Bon |
| Material | Wood |
| Collection | Rubin Museum of Art |
Classification: Object/Concept
Throne back (Tibetan: gyab yol) for the special figure of Nampar Gyalwa a form of Tonpa Shenrab, founder of the Bon religion. This throne back is different from others most notably because the lion at the bottom is eating a human figure and the winged-lion-horse (dragon) above is eating a naga serpent spirit. This throne back design can also be found on paintings the Four Transcendent Lords.
According to the text the animals should be a lion, dragon and sea monster. This is described in detail in the story of Nampar Gyalwa found in chapter 50 of the Ziji a twelve volume biography of Tonpa Shenrab.
Jeff Watt & Samten Karmey 12-2006
Bon Religion & Culture: Technical Glossary
Thematic Sets
Subject: Lion Imagery Page
Bon: Bookcovers & Wood (Masterworks)
Bon Deity: Nampar Gyalwa Masterworks
Bon: Book Covers & Wood Objects (Early Sculpture)
Exhibition: Bon, The Magic Word (RMA 2007)
Subject: Miscellaneous Objects
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art: Sculpture (Gallery 2)
Subject: Animals Mythical and Real
Subject: Torana Main Page (Arch, Decorative Throne Back)
Bon Deity: Nampar Gyalwa (Tonpa Shenrab) Main Page
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art: Bon Artworks