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Lot 60
A RARE BON THANGKA WITH NARRATIVE CONTENT
Estimated Value:
1.500 € - 2.500 €
Result:
incl. Premium and VAT
Description:
Tibet, 18th c.113.5 x 86.5 cm (o. R.)
This large-format thangka, in bright colours, shows biographical depictions in the manner of the Jatakas, from the life of a saint (Shen Rab? - founder of the Bon tradition). The Bon school and Buddhism influenced each other. Ritual and shamanistic elements were adopted from the Buddhist schools, while the teachings on reincarnation and ideas of karma were adopted by the Bön-pos. In 1977, Bon was officially recognised by the Tibetan government-in-exile and the 14th Dalai Lama as the fifth spiritual school of Tibetan Buddhism. The central image depicts one of the four transcendent deities of the Bon school. The deity is iconographically white in colour. She holds her right hand in a protective gesture and her left in a meditative posture. The head is crowned and the body is adorned with sixfold jewellery. The deity is seated on a sun-moon lotus above an altar table. Numerous offerings are placed in front of her. The upper part of the painting shows illuminated figures in several rows, partly enveloped by clouds. Between the figural depictions, numerous temple buildings, mounts and chariots, and animal-headed beings can be seen. Unfortunately, no names are assigned to the figures, so more detailed research is necessary. Tempera and gold on cotton fabric, original silk satin border. Possibly this single thangka is one of a series of related paintings.
Private collection, Baden-Württemberg, bought 4.6.1977 from Schoettle East Asian Art. Bought from this collection by the present owner 1999 - Wear, minor damages due to age, framed under glass
