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A THANGKA OF AMITAYUS A THANGKA OF AMITAYUS
Tibet, 19th century Tibet, 19th century
Distemper on cloth, with silk mount, framed and glazed. Distemper on cloth, the reverse with a hand impression, with silk
63 x 97 cm (24 6/8 x 38 1/8 in); mount, framed and glazed.
With silk mount: 116 x 122 cm (45 5/8 x 48 in). 74.5 x 51.5 cm (29 3/8 x 20 2/8 in);
With silk mount: 132 x 80 cm (52 x 31.5 in).
西藏十九世紀 無量壽佛像
西藏十九世紀 無量壽佛像
Referenced 參考: Himalayan Art Resources item no.2217
Referenced 參考: Himalayan Art Resources item no.2219
Provenance 來源: The Jongen-Schleiper Collection of Fine Thangkas
Provenance 來源: The Jongen-Schleiper Collection of Fine Thangkas
Depicted in the centre is Amitayus in the Pure Land of Sukhavati
Heaven, seated in dhyanasana on an elaborate lotus throne. Both The painting’s unusual composition, defined by a large circular
hands hold the alms bowl with the elixir of long life. He is painted enclosure of trees and palaces, appears to have originated from
within a pavilion, wearing richly painted brocaded robes with gilt floral Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tsang Province, Tibet. A similar circular
details and surrounded by the Eight Great Bodhisattvas, Tibetan depiction of Amitayus Buddha, surrounded by the Eight Great
teachers and monks, royal figures and holy men, encompassing Bodhisattvas and within a circular enclosure, 19th century, is in
tutelary scenes amidst flowering Chinese-style prunus and blossoming the Tibet House Museum, New Delhi, illustrated on Himalayan Art
peonies. Resources, item no.72059.
Although paintings of Amitayus in the Sukhavati Heaven are a Amitayus, red in colour, is seated in front of a large palace flanked by
common theme in Tibetan art, this painting is representative of the the Eight Great Bodhisattvas, within shrubs of blossoming flowers
Namcho tradition as defined by Mingyur Dorje (1645-1667), containing and vaporous clouds. Above him are Karma Kagyu lineage masters.
a number of tantric elements which differ from other depictions. For Beneath him is the eleven-headed Avalokiteshvara and various figures
example, the two bodhisattvas flanking Amitayus on clouds above of monks set within a hilly landscape. The presence of the Eleven-
have tantric characteristics: to the left of Amitayus is the four-armed Headed Avalokiteshvara would suggest that this painting belongs to
Avalokiteshvara and to the right is Vajrapani in peaceful form. Another the Namcho tradition’s depictions of Amitayus (see footnote of Lot 8
example of a Namcho description of Amitayus, 19th century, is in the for more on the Namcho tradition).
Rubin Museum of Art, New York, and illustrated on Himalayan Art
Resources item no.856.
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