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Lot 632

A THANGKA OF HAYAGRIVA
QIANLONG PERIOD (1735-1796), YONGHEGONG STYLE

23 September 2020, 15:00 EDT
New York

Sold for US$10,075 inc. premium

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A THANGKA OF HAYAGRIVA

QIANLONG PERIOD (1735-1796), YONGHEGONG STYLE
Distemper on cloth
Himalayan Art Resources item no.16833
9 1/4 x 6 7/8 in. (23.6 x 17.5 cm)

Footnotes

乾隆時期(1735-1796)雍和宮風格 馬頭明王唐卡

Hayagriva, who is recognizable from the horse heads emerging from his hair, is a popular protector deity who enjoys a special cult in the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism. Presented in a cloud of dark smoke and flames, Hayagriva dominates this painting's composition whilst joined by Amitabha, Padmasambhava, and Avalokiteshvara Shadaksari in the clouds, and a retinue of five protector deities in the terrain below.
 
The palette, composition, and prominent scale of the central deity (occupying more than half the image) are classic registers of paintings produced at Beijing's Yonghegong temple. See two examples published in Qi, Beautiful Thangka Paintings in Yonghegong, Beijing, 2001, pp.82 & 88. The deities' mouth, eyes, beard, and hair are done in the same fashion. Also compare the almost identical treatment of flames and clouds. 

Provenance
The Collection of Guus Moorrees, USA, acquired in China at the beginning of the 20th century
Ex-Estate of Louise Moorrees, USA

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