assis en vajraparyankasana sur un double coussin brodé de fleurettes stylisées dans des frises losangiques ou polylobées et recouvert d'un textile à décor de fines fleurettes et bordé d'une frise de vajra, la main droite en varada mudra et la main gauche en kartari mudra tenant une tige de lotus fleurie, vêtu d'une longue et riche robe monastique finement plissée décorée sur sa bordure de larges fleurs épanouies, le visage caractéristique de forme ovale et aux yeux grands ouverts, les cheveux rasés, le crâne dégarni et les oreilles décollées, inscription au dos sur deux lignes en tibétain dans une réserve polylobée, la base re-scellée d'une plaque incisée et dorée d'un double vajra dans un double cercle au centre

The figure is heavily cast, the base sealed (plaque possibly later). There is overall light wear to the gilding, particularly around the lower parts of the cushion-shaped base. There is a ca. 2cm long crack to the metal at the rim of the base.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The inscription on the back of the cushion-shaped base may be translated as

'Homage to the Omniscient One Ngawang 🥀Lobsang Gyatso. Sarva Mangalam'

It identifies this figure as the fifth Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso (1617-1682), one of the most significant figures in Tibetan political and religious history. Renowned as 'The Great Fifth' for his skills as a diplomat and politician, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso was the first Dalai Lama to assume both spiritual and secular leadership within a newly unified Central Tibet. He commissioned the construction of the Potala palace, his headquarters and monastery, and the Lukhang, his private meditation temple built within a man-made lake. He also is credited with engineering the demise of the aristocratic military hegemony by forcing their residency in Lhasa and bestowing key political positions upon them. Thus power was centralized in the capital under the direct auspices of Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, establishing the dynastic government that survived in Tibet until 1959, see Martin Brauen, The Dalai Lamas: A Visual History, Chicago, 2005, pp. 64.

This elegant gilt-bronze figure of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama presents a compelling portrait of the celebrated seventeenth century Tibetan leader. Great attention has been given to this portrait, the distinctly recognisable face with wide eyes and a receding hairline, as well as the imposing girth of his figure. This portrait may be related compared to a bronze sculpture of Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso in a similar seated position but with different mudra in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (acc. no. 50.3606), and to another gilt-bronze portrait of Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, from the collection of Markus Speidel, Birmensdorf, and also to the one from the Tibet House, New York (no. inv.: 1971.267), all illustrated in Martin Brauen, Les Dalaï Lama, Lausanne, 2005, pp. 86-87. Compare also with another gilt-copp🍌er alloy portrait figure of the Fifth Dalai Lama, sold at Sotheby's New🌃 York, 13th September 2016, lot 161.