A RARE THANGKA DEPICTING MAHASRIHERUKA WITH SILK MOUNTING

Description:

Tibet, 18th c.
77 x 52,5 cm (150 x 80 cm mit Montierung)
The centre represents Mahashriheruka who can be encountered on the forty-nine day journey of the deceased as described in the Tibetan Book of Dead and represents the wrathful manifestation of the Primordial Buddha Samantabhadra, trampling two human figures prostrating on the lotus-base, his principle arms embracing his consort Mahakrodheshvari who offers him a blood-filled skull-cup, these hands holding vajra and ghanta while the others trishula, damaru, kapala filled with blood and intestines, three-faced, wings behind, placed in front of a leaking flame mandorla, surrounded by a myriad of different divinities including the five Heruka’s embracing their partner, the eight Keurimas, the ten Phramenmas, the twenty-eight animal headed dakinis Bangtruknyernga and other dakinis, the reverse with two hand imprints of an important lama, in brocade mounting.
Important German private collection, assembled in the 1970s and 80s, some bought from Schoettle East Asian Art, Stuttgart
Published: Thangka Calendar 1997, Wind Horse Publishing House, Month October
Minor wear and traces of age