A THANGKA DEPICTING TWO DEBATING LAMAS

Description:

Tibet, 16th cent.
30 x 26 cm
The centre of the painting is occupied by two debating lamas, one seated in rajalilasana, holding a rosary and showing the vitarkamudra, clad in a white garment, his face displaying a severe expression, beard framing his chin and topped with a red bonnet, facing him is a younger lama seated with legs crossed, hands in the dharmacakramudra, his face displaying a serene expression, both seated on a lotus base placed on a throne, between them is rising a lotus flower supporting Buddha Shakyamuni flanked to each side by a manifestation of Buddha Amitabha and the lower register with the white Ushnishavijaya and the yellow Prajnaparamita.
An old collection from southern Germany, mostly acquired from Schoettle Ostasiatica before 1980 - Wear, minor damages due to age