15. Eleven-headed Avalokiteshvara

15. Eleven-headed Avalokiteshvara

Tibet or China, 17th–18th century; gilded bronze; 15 15/16 x 9 1/2 in.; Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, 85.04.0160.

Unidentified Chapel

Unidentified Chapel

Tibet, 1940s; Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art.

A Tibetan worshipper would rarely encounter a sacred image in isolation. Instead, numerous icons usually appear on an altar—like the one seen here—amidst a dense array of related sculptures and paintings, festooned with white scarves (or khatas) and other offerings.