Changkya Rolpai Dorje

firegilded bronze
China, 2nd half 18th cent.
high: 10 cm.

Portrait of Rolpai Dorje (1717-1786), the incarnate head of the Gelugpa-church in Mongolia, and one of the most important church-hierarchs in China. He was born in Urga (Mongolia) in 1717, and was recognized as the reincarnation of Ngawang Lobzang Chöden, the previous Changkya Hutuktu and spiritual advisor of the Chinese Kangxi-emperor. He lived in Beijing for most of his life and in his turn was the advisor of the Gianlong-emperor.

Not sealed.