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Lot 603
A RARE AND VERY LARGE SILK THANGKA WITH ONE OF THE NINE MAHAYANA GURUS
Estimated Value:
5.000 € - 8.000 €
Result:
incl. Premium and VAT
Description:
Outer Mongolia, late 19th c.96,3 x 71,6 (208,5 x 113,4) cm
Monastic work as an appliqué thangka, pattern-forming composition of silk brocades and silk satin, original silk satin border. Impressive temple flag from a series of several thangkas that were hung in a temple for the contemplation and veneration of the holy patriarchs. This is possibly (no name is discernible) a representation of Guru Buddhapalita (Tib. Sangas-rgyas bsKyangs). He is the spiritual father of Candrakirti. Both were important philosophers of Mahayana Buddhism in the 5th and 7th centuries. They dealt with the Madhyamaka philosophy of Nagarjuna (ca. 2nd century). The patriarch appears here in the typical robe of a teacher, with a loosely draped cloak, both composed of various pieces of brocade and satin. His typical cap is that of a scholar (pandita), and his head is surrounded by a multi-coloured gloriole. The chest is unclothed according to Indian tradition. He holds his hands relaxed one over the other in his lap. A typical feature of his Indian origin is the spherical water container on his right side. In the diamond seat, the Pandita is enthroned on a red seat carpet, on two cushions. The back of the throne seat is provided with a white sash of honour (khata). Remarkable are the two beautifully designed flowers with the three buds, left and right of the throne. These "Three Jewels of Buddhism" stand for - Buddha, Dharma and Sangha - the Buddha is the one who shows the path, the Dharma is the actual refuge and safe direction, the Sangha (community) helps through its role model function. The scholar's sublime seat appears in a mountainous landscape, surrounded by the waters of the Urocean. The two stars, the sun and the moon, shine between clouds in the blue sky above the venerable appearance.
From an old European private collection, acquired before 2000 - Iconography: Lokesh Chandra; Dictionary of Buddhist Iconography; International Academy of Indian Culture and Aditya Prakashan; New Delhi; 2003, Vol.2:666.
