A POLYCHROME BRONZE FIGURE OF BEGTSE

Description:

Mongolia, 18th or early 19th c,
H. 18,2 cm
Standing in pratyalidhasana on horse and figure reclining on the lotus-base, both hands in tarjanimudra, one with sword, the other holding intestine, spear resting against his shoulder, wearing armour, loincloth, tunic, boots, shawl floating around his shoulders, bejewelled, his face displaying a wrathful expression with bulging eyes below raised eyebrows, open mouth, elongated earlobes with ear ornaments and his flaming hairdo secured with a tiara consisting of skulls, sealed, with additional metal banner and bow.
European private collection, assembled before 2000
The name Begtse (Beg tse) is a loanword from Mongolian begder, meaning "coat of mail". He is also given the name and epithet Jamsaran (lCam sring), meaning "Great Coat of Mail", which is a translation of the Mongolian - Very minor traces of age and minor wear