Dora Tan
Head of Sale, Specialist
Lot 1028
A THANKGA OF A NYINGMA TEACHER GOLOK, NORTHEASTERN TIBET, LATE 19TH CENTURY
2 December 2021, 19:00 HKT
Hong Kong, Six Pacific PlaceSold for HK$38,250 inc. premium
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Mark Rasmussen
International Director
A THANKGA OF A NYINGMA TEACHER
GOLOK, NORTHEASTERN TIBET, LATE 19TH CENTURY
Distemper on cloth; recto with two Tibetan inscriptions in gold with the names of the historic figures in the top corners; with original silk mounts.
Himalayan Art Resources item no.16995
Image: 61 x 44 cm (24 x 17 1/4 in.);
With silks: 123 x 78.5 cm (48 1/2 x 30 7/8 in.)
Distemper on cloth; recto with two Tibetan inscriptions in gold with the names of the historic figures in the top corners; with original silk mounts.
Himalayan Art Resources item no.16995
Image: 61 x 44 cm (24 x 17 1/4 in.);
With silks: 123 x 78.5 cm (48 1/2 x 30 7/8 in.)
Footnotes
果洛 西藏東北部 十九世紀末 寧瑪上師唐卡
A large, distinctive portrait of an unidentified teacher sits enthroned before an altar of offerings at the center of this vivid painting. If the composition's vibrant hues and conspicuous Sinicized motifs, such as the red lacquer throne and pearl-wielding dragons, were not enough to attribute this thangka to a Tibetan province close to Han China in the 19th century, the presence of Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje (1800-86) from the Northeastern province of Golok in the top right corner reaffirms it. Yeshe Dorje, who is identified by an accompanying inscription, was an important Nyingma master (see treasuryoflives.org no.9612). His inclusion, as well as that of Samantabhadra at top center, who the Nyingma consider the Primordial Buddha, also affirm the central subject was a guru in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. From left to right in the landscape below are three guardians: Shadbhuja Mahalaka, a regional worldly protector, and Ekajati.
Provenance:
Private Australian Collection