A THANGKA DEPICTING AN ESOTERIC FORM OF AMITAYUS

Description:

Tibet, 18th/ early 19th c.
55,5 x 40 cm (111 x 72 cm mit Montierung)
The centre of the painting depicting the red coloured tantric form of Amitayus seated in vajrasana on a lotus-base, his arms embracing his partner Pandara, his hands supporting a skull-cup containing the kalasha, wearing dhoti, bejewelled, his face displaying a serene expression, his partner offering him a kapala filled with blood, at the four cardinal points around the central figure are visible a manifestation of him, around him are placed ten protective divinities, each with their partner, the upper register with a dakini flanked by various Kagyupa lamas and spiritual masters and all are set in a mountainous landscape, in brocade mounting.
Important German private collection, assembled in the 1970s and 80s, some bought from Schoettle East Asian Art, Stuttgart
Wear, traces of age