Page 52 - Blum Feinstein Tanka collection HIMALAYAN Art Bonhams March 20 2024

719
A THANGKA OF A SAHASRABHUJA LOKESHVARA
TIBET, 16TH/17TH CENTURY
Distemper and gold on cloth; recto with gold Tibetan inscriptions below each
vignette identifying its subject and a lengthy gold Tibetan dedicatory inscription at
the bottom within a black text field.
Himalayan Art Resources item no. 1874
Image: 38 x 28 in. (96.5 x 71.1 cm);
With Silks: 40 1/2 x 31 1/2 in. (102.9 x 80 cm)

$30,000 - 50,000

西藏 十六/十七世紀 十一面千手觀音唐卡

Standing as the central figure in this painting is the eleven-headed manifestation
of Avalokiteshvara, whose radiating arms supposedly number a thousand
eclipse the painting in beams of golden light. Aside from the retinue of deities
by Avalokiteshvara’s feet, in addition to Amitabha and the guardians of the four
directions, the majority of the panels depict scenes from the Mani Kambum. The
Maṇi Kambum is a very important work for the history of Tibet and is believed to
have been founded by a number of Tibetan masters, including a Revealed Treasure
master by the name of Nyangrel Nyima Ozer (1124-92). This collection includes
foundational narratives for the national myths that gave rise to Avalokiteshvara as
the patron deity of Tibet. Accordingly, the left lower panel of this painting includes
a scene where Avalokiteshvara transforms into the mythical flying white horse,
Balahaka. This composition, although relatively rare, does show slight similarities to
another painting in private hands (HAR 13135).

Provenance
Sotheby’s, New York, 22 September 2000, lot 31

50 | BONHAMS
50 | BONHAMS