Snow Lion Gilt Copper Tibet

The lion striding to the left with forelegs raised, a jewel clutched in each paw, the ferocious head turned back with flaming mane and pricked ears, the cavernous red mouth with bared fangs and curling tongue, eyes bulging with bushy eyebrows, all raised from a single sheet of copper, fire gilded and with painted features.

Such plaques were incorporated between the pillars of monumental stepped throne pedestals, simhasana, which supported images of the deities.