Mark Rasmussen
International Director
Lot 34
A black ground thangka of Vajrabhairava Ekavira Tibet, 19th century
18 September 2013, 10:00 EDT
New YorkSold for US$8,125 inc. premium
Looking for a similar item?
Our Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot
A black ground thangka of Vajrabhairava Ekavira
Tibet, 19th century
The wrathful tutelary form of Manjushri at the center with 9 faces, the primary face of a buffalo and the uppermost of fierce Manjushri, with 34 arms he holds the chopper to the skull cup with his primary hands while the others radiate around him holding various weapons, he is enshrouded with flames and stands erect with 16 legs on prone figures above a lotus issuing from a rocky outcrop, various retinue figures mounted on mythical animals and identified by accompanying inscriptions surround him, including Lalitavajra, Varuna, Nairrti, Yama, Agni, Indra, and Brahmā.
Image: 26 1/4 x 18 1/4 in. (66.5 x 46.3 cm)
The wrathful tutelary form of Manjushri at the center with 9 faces, the primary face of a buffalo and the uppermost of fierce Manjushri, with 34 arms he holds the chopper to the skull cup with his primary hands while the others radiate around him holding various weapons, he is enshrouded with flames and stands erect with 16 legs on prone figures above a lotus issuing from a rocky outcrop, various retinue figures mounted on mythical animals and identified by accompanying inscriptions surround him, including Lalitavajra, Varuna, Nairrti, Yama, Agni, Indra, and Brahmā.
Image: 26 1/4 x 18 1/4 in. (66.5 x 46.3 cm)
Footnotes
When Yama, Lord of Death, was ravaging Tibet, the people invoked Manjushri for help. He assumed the form of Yamantaka (Conqueror of Death - also known as Vajrabhairava) and subdued Yama, making the latter a Regent of Hell. As the deputy of Manjushri, Vajrabhairava is known as the "discerning protector". In the Sakya tradition he is counted among the four main tantric deities along with Hevajra, Guhyasamaja and Chakrasamvara.
Depictions of this solitary aspect of Vajrabhairava Ekavira, without a consort, are less common. Compare to a related example of similar composition in the Rubin Museum of Art (F1997.17.5, see HAR#295). The thangka is finely painted with heavy use of gold outlining and is stylistically akin to another thangka in Rubin Museum Art (F1997.30.4, see HAR#387) published in Linrothe and Watt, Demonic Divine, New York, 2004, no. 16, pp. 138-9. Compare also the rocky outcrop, lotus petals, and identifying inscriptions.
