Gilt Copper Statue of Srong-bstan-sgam-po,Tubo Period figural statue,overall height:47cm,base:30 cm wide

In the early seventh century,Srong-bstan-sgam-po succeeded his father gNam-ri-blong-btsan to the throne as bTsan-po(king).After becoming a new bTsan-po,he completed the great cause of unification initiated by his grandfather and father and established a unified system of slavery.He set up his capital in Ra-sa(Lhasa) and built a his palace on the Potala Hill.During his reign,he was diligent in governing his kingdom,establishing laws,official system,and military structure so as to strengthen his royal power and to develop economy and culture.He brought in Buddhism and organized a massive translation of Buddhist texts.A statue of Amitabha (Buddha of Infinite Light)stands on Srong-btsan-sgam-po's turban,for he was respected as an incarnation of Avalokitehvara,who,in turn,was the disciple of Buddha of Infinite Light.This gilt copper statue,a representative work of Tubo casting art,is exquisite in workmanship,especially the folds on the costumes and waves of tails are really life-like.