Page 81 - Bonhams May 11th 2017 London Thangka Collection

The thangkas depict: The thangka depicting the First Panchen Lama compares with a
painting depicting the same subject, 19th century, in the Rubin
1. The First Panchen Lama, Lobzang Chokyi Gyaltsen (1570- Museum of Art, New York, ref.no.F1997.25.3, illustrated on Himalayan
1662), flanked by Kalachakra and Chakrasamvara, Tantric deities; Art Resources, item no.344. The thangka depicting the Third Panchen
Abhayakaragupta (d.1125), Go Loksawa (11th century), Saskya Lama is also similar to one depicting the same subject, 19th century,
Pandita (1182-1251) and Dorje Pal (1284-1365), respectively, the in the Rubin Museum of Art, New York, illustrated on Himalayan Art
Seventh, Eight, Ninth and Tenth pre-incarnations of the lineage; on Resources, item no.1057, and a similar counterpart to the thangka
the upper register, Kashyapa, Buddha of the Past, is flanked by depicting the Fourth Panchen Lama, 19th century, is in the American
Changchub Chöphel (1756-1838), Jangchub Chopel (1756-1838) Museum of Natural History, New York, ref.no.70.2/753, illustrated on
and Yeshe Thardo (1756-1829), abbots of the Ganden monastery Himalayan Art Resources, item no.94400.
of the Gelug School; Atisha (982-1054), Indian teacher, above
Sherab Sengge (1383-1445), disciple of Tsongkhapa and the Tenth A group of nine paintings of the Third Panchen Lamas, late 18th
Dalai Lama, Tsultrim Gyatso (1819-1837); on the lower register century, was sold at Christie’s New York, 18 September 2013, lot 256.
Bahyasadhana, Dharmaraja, Antarasadhana and Guhyasadhana
appear as manifestations of Yama, Lord of the Dead.

2. The Fourth Panchen Lama, Lobzang Tempai Nyma (1781-1854),
flanked by Vajrabhairava, emanation of Manjushri, Guhyasamaja,
tutelary deity of the Guhyasamaja tantra, and Amitabha Buddha;
Subhuti, disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha, Manjukirti, king of
Shambhala, Bhavaviveka, Indian teacher, First, Second and Third
Panchen Lamas; on the upper register, Shakyamuni, Buddha of the
Present, is flanked by Tsongkhapa above his two disciples, Gyaltsab
Darma Rinchen (1364-1432) and Khedrup Gelek Pelzang (1385-1439),
and the Three Buddhas of Longevity, namely, Jina Amityaus, the White
Tara and Ushnishavijaya; on the lower register, the White form of
Mahakala, emanation of Avalokiteshvara, appears in conjunction with
the Blue Mahakala, and Mahapita Vaishravana, God of Wealth, seated
atop his white lion.

3. The Third Panchen Lama, Palden Yeshe (1738-1780), flanked by
Niladanda Vajrapani, Hevajra, and the Second Panchen Lama, Lozang
Yeshe Pezangpo (1663-1737); Khedrup Gelek Pelzang (1385-1438),
Sonam Choglang (1438-1505), and Ensapa Lobzang Dondrub (1505-
1564), respectively, the Eight, Ninth and Tenth pre-incarnations of
the lineage; on the upper register, Maitreya, Buddha of the Future, is
flanked by Jina Vajradhara, Primordial Buddha of the Gelugpa sect,
Sitrapatra Vajradhara and her attendant Marici, as well as the Green
Tara and two emanations of Manjushri, namely, Sitamanjugosha
and Raktapitamanjugosha; the lower register depicts Mahakala with
Yangsang dugri nagpo and Kamadhatvishvari Parvati, both deities
associated with the Mahakala cycle.

After Das, Sarat Chandra, Journey to Lhasa and Central Tibet, 1902