Mongolian Art of the 17th Century

By B.NARANTUYA

An exhibition dedicated to the 380th birthday of Undur Gegeen Zanabazar is being presented at the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts from April 27 to May 27. The exhibition presents over 200 artifacts that were found at the Saridag Monastery.

Saridag Monastery is located in Erdenet soum of Tuv Province, and its construction began in 1654 at the request of Zanabazar. It was finished in 1680. Historians say that the monastery was linked to the Khalkh Buddhist Center.

The monastery ruins were discovered in the beginning of the 20th century, however, no official research was conducted there until 2013.

Under the Mongolian Towns of the 17th Century Project, the excavation of Saridag Monastery took place, initiated by the director of the History Institution of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, S.Chuluun.

The research team conducted an excavation from 2013 to 2014. Thousands of artifacts were uncovered, including clay sculptures of gods, building decorations, helmets, swords, flint guns, gold, silver, and precious stones.

About G.Zanabazar (1635-1723)

Bogdo Zanabazar, also known as Undur Gegeen Zanabazar and Bogd Jivzundamba, was the grandson of Abtai Sain Khan and a direct descendant of Chinggis Khan. Zanabazar was the First Resplendent Saint of Mongolia, most noted for making an inestimable contribution to the development of the Mongolian fine arts.

Identified as the Khalkhyn Gegeenten (Holy Saint) at the Danshig Festival of Shireet Tsagaan Nuurin in 1641, G.Zanabazar undertook religious studies in Tibet as a young child, and received the title of First Khalkh...