Antique Tibetan Thangka
Measurements:
Overall: 35" w. x 66.5" l
canvas: 23" x 39"
Green Silk Border: 3.5"
Gold & Red Borders: 1.5"
Silk Cover: 35" w. x 55" l
Thangkas play an important role in Tibetan Buddhist rituals by providing support during the process of visualization. And this is one of the most lovely Thangkas that I have ever seen!
3 different colors (green, red & gold) of brocade silk borders, surround the canvas (gouche) painting of a gold embellished Bodhissatva, genie, consort and servants. Hand painted 1800 c.
There is a small red wax seal on back, bottom left corner of the canvas. There are impressions, but we're unable to make out what they are.
There is one area that has been damaged and was patched sometime in the past. It can be viewed on the photo of the back of thangka below.
Click onto photos to enlarge view.
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What is a Thangka?
A thangka is a complicated, composite three-dimensional object consisting of: a picture panel which is painted or embroidered, a textile mounting; and one or more of the following: a silk cover, leather corners, wooden dowels at the top and bottom and metal or wooden decorative knobs on the bottom dowel.
What is the Thangkas purpose?
Thangkas are intended to serve as a record of, and guide for contemplative experience. For example, you might be instructed by your teacher to imagine yourself as a specific figure in a specific setting. You could use a thangka as a reference for the details of posture, attitude, colour, clothing. etc., of a figure located in a field, or in a palace, possibly surrounded by many other figures of meditation teachers, your family, etc..
In this way, thangkas are intended to convey iconographic information in a pictorial manner. A text of the same meditation would supply similar details in written descriptive form.
There is a vast amount of iconographic information provided in thangkas, some of it literally spelled out for you. If you look closely, many thangkas spell identification of figures and scenes in formal and delicately rendered scripts. In damaged sections of thangkas where paint layers are missing, letters which indicate the master painter's choice of colour are sometimes visible. These letters were not intended to be part of the final composition and should not be confused with the former. But given the breadth and variety of the iconography of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism, it is virtually impossible to extrapolate the information that would be required to fill in figures that are missing or to complete the sacred objects that the figures hold in their hands. Where inpainting is required, the definition and clarification of artistic intent is a complex issue.
Since even indigenous Tibetan scholars trained in the iconographic details of Buddhist deities generally would not presume to know the iconography associated with every deity, it is unlikely that most Conservators could guess the identity and details of unfamiliar figures. In this case, speculation as to the artist's intent tends to be a particularly unrewarding strategy.
For a list of Tibet Buddha Symbolism, please see Baronet.
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Measurements:
Overall: 24" w. x 40" l.
Painting: 18.5" x 27"
Gold Silk Brocade: 1"
Brown Silk Brocade: 1"
Silk Cover: 23.5" x 32.5"
This thankga displays Vajradhara, the enlightened mind of the Buddha, who is to have taught Tilopa (who is photographed above in sold thangka) the highest teachings of the nature of mind. This blue buddha contemplating on his lotus thrown. He is adorned with crown, flowing robes and scarfs, and is surrounded by his 2 consorts and associated deities. A protective dragon sits at his feet while 2 sacred white elephantes mythically dance beside him.
Highly detailed and very colorful, this thankga is signed on back with 3 different Tibetan characters. An orange silk cover protects the gouche painting from exposure when not being studied by the trainees.
There is no damage noted on this lovely Tibetan Thankga, and it is easy to see that someone has taken great care to keep it in pristine condition.
On the last photo, you will see a black circle where we have identified the signatures of artists, and perhaps the teachers signature as well. This has been added to the picture only, and is not a flaw on the actual piece.
Also, there seems to be a glare on his face and is easy to see in some of the pictures. This is not a flaw on the piece either. You can click onto any of the photos, and you will be given a new browser window with an enlarged view of that photo.
These thankga are priceless to those artists who created them, and are not only for beauty, but for comtemplative exercises of the mind for students seeking "the way".
