At first glance, the form and state of preservation suggest an early date of origin. However, further research is necessary to determine a more precise chronological context.
As was the case with the two tsa tsas Namasangiti Manjushri and Krodharaja Achala, the Chinese reference book »Art of Tsha Tsha from Guge, Tibet« proved to be an important source for comparison. It features several Manjushri tsa-tsas that are stylistically very similar to the specimen shown here, though not identical to it. The illustration reproduced here shows the comparative piece with the greatest similarity.
All of the tsa-tsas depicted there follow a uniform style and are dated to the 11th or 12th century. They are said to originate from the ruins of the Toling Monastery in Zada County and are described as tsa-tsas made of clay using a mold-casting technique.
Their place of origin is given as the ruins of Toling Monastery in Zada County; the pieces are attributed to the 11th - 12th centuries and described as tsa-tsas made of clay using a mold-casting technique.
Another indication of this age is the two small stupas to the left and right of Manjushri. This depiction is not found on more recent tsa tsas.
Its early date of origin is also supported by its exceptional depth of 1.5" | 3.8 cm in relation to its height of 2.6 " | 6.4 cm and width of 2.4 " | 6.0 cm. Comparably thick material is attested particularly in early tsa tsas from Western Tibet. The still relatively solid construction likely also served to stabilize the reliefs, some of which are deeply carved. It was only as development progressed that it became possible to produce increasingly flatter shapes.
Against this background, the stylistic similarities suggest that this Manjushri tsa tsa should also be dated to the 11th or 12th century.
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