16th century, Tibet, Virupa, bronze with pigment, 10,1 cm, private collection, Purity and Enlightenment lot 8, 3rd October 2023, Hollywood Galleries
Seated in the royal ease position on a tiger or leopard skin, his raised knee held in place with a meditation strap, his hair gathered in a prominent topknot, Virupa points towards the Sun with his right hand and holds a skull cup in the other. He is adorned with spiral-shaped bone earrings, a necklace, bracelets, and a cross-belt.
Early 18th century, Tibet, Virupa, gilt bronze, 13,7 cm, private collection, Auction 819 China 1, lot 56, Nagel
This work depicts him with the left hand pointing towards the sun and the other holding a skull cup. He is seated on an antelope skin (see more pictures on the above link) atop an unusual double-lotus base, dressed in a long dhoti and a silk shawl, adorned with a floral tiara, some jewellery, and a cross-belt with a large flower at the front (the flowers worn by mahasiddhas are an anti-caste symbol). Part of his hair is gathered in a Chinese-style top knot and the rest cascades over his shoulders.
15th century, Tibet, Padampa Sangye, painted clay (on a wooden armature), size not given, photo by Dudul Dorjay, 2011, on virginia.edu, at the Shije shrine in the Kumbum, Gyantse (Tibet).
Also known as Dampa Sangye, Kamalasila, Black Acarya, Little Black Indian, Mipan Gonpo, Dampa Gyagar, he is depicted here in the ‘pacification posture’, with his knees raised and his hands making the gesture of debate at heart level.
16th century, Tibet, Mahasiddha Tilopa, bronze, 5,6 cm, Nyingjei Lam Collection, photo on Myriad Forms, Hollywood Galleries
Tilopa usually has a fish in one hand and sometimes a skull cup in the other.