1-234-259 - The Museum of East Asian Art/Heritage Images

Gilt copper head of a Tibetan mastiff, Tibet, 15th-16th century. A gilt copper finial of a dog's head, probably a Tibetan mastiff. The snout is typically pig-like with prominent fangs and a slightly open mouth. The jowls have prominent manes, the ears are small and there is a large tuft on top of the head. The nose is shaped like a ruyi head. The piece is pierced through the top of the head and round the circular base for affixing to pole or throne chair. There is an inscription in Tibetan on the neck of the word 'AH'.