A TERRACOTTA TSATSA OF VAJRAPANITIBET, CIRCA 13TH CENTURY Himalayan Art Resources item no. 1437 3 1/2 (8.9 cm) high 西藏 約十三世紀 陶質金剛手菩薩擦擦 A tsatsa is a type of votive tablet depicting a hollowed, reversed image of either a stupa, sacred symbol, or a one of the many deities from Vajrayana Buddhism. Its Tibetan name, which translates to 'earth-imprint,' is associated with the Sanskrit word for 'holy image' or '' ( sat-chaya ), as well as 'stamp' or 'mold impression' ( canchaka ), which is derived from the Prakrit word for modelling ( sacchava or sacchaka ). In traditional methods, tsatsa are formed with clay, where it is pressed using a wooden, stone, or metal mould and then left to dry. In modern practices, more durable materials such as resin, plaster, hydro-stone, or even pewter are used instead. pare with another tsatsa of Vajrapani attributed to the 13th century sold at , Paris, 10-16 December 2022, lot 406. Provenance: Private American Collection