Page 96 - Bonhams May 11th 2017 London Thangka Collection

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A THANGKA OF CHEMCHOK HERUKA
Tibet, 18th century
Distemper on cloth, with silk mount, framed
and glazed.
62 x 40.7 cm (24 1/2in x 16 in);
With silk mount: 103 x 65.5 cm
(40 1/8 x 25 6/8 in).

西藏十八世紀 赫魯嘎像

Referenced 參考: Himalayan Art Resources
item no.2211

Provenance 來源: The Jongen-Schleiper
Collection of Fine Thangkas

The winged Chemchok Heruka surrounded by
numerous deities related to the transmigratory
visions in the intermediary stage between
death and rebirth known as Bardo, as
described in the ‘Bardo Thodol’ (‘Tibetan
Book of the Dead’). The painting aims to
prepare the devotee for the after-death
experience.

Compare with a thangka of Chemok Heruka,
19th century, in the Collection of the Newark
Museum, illustrated by M.M.Rhye, Wisdom
and Compassion: The Sacred Art of Tibet,
New York, 1999, p.19, no.60.

38

38 The twelve-armed deity with four faces at Chakrasamvara and his consort Vajravarahi
A THANGKA OF CHAKRASAMVARA AND centre, holding aloft a flayed elephant skin are the principal deities of the Anuttarayoga
VAJRAVARAHI in the upper hands and ritual weapons and or Highest Yoga Tantra. The former,
Tibet, 17th/18th century implements in the other ten hands. He is Heruka manifestation of Shakyamuni
Distemper on cloth, with mount, framed and joined in ecstatic union with Vajravarahi, Buddha, Chakrasamvara is the principal
glazed. standing upon prone and contorted human transformational deity (yiddam) of the Gelug
66.5 x 44.5 cm (26 2/8 x 17 1/2 in); figures within the flaming halo of pristine School of Tibetan Buddhism. Producing the
With silk mount: 130 x 71.5 cm awareness, holding a kartrika in the raised vajrahumkara mudra by crossing the vajra
(51 1/8 x 28 2/8 in). right hand. The divine couple are surrounded and the ghanta in his hands, their blissful
by lineage masters, adepts, Vajrabhairava embrace symbolises the fulfillment of Wisdom
西藏十七/十八世紀 勝樂金剛擁妃像 with Vajravetali, and Chamsing Begste Chen. and Compassion dissolving into one perfect
penetrative union.
Referenced 參考: Himalayan Art Resources
item no.2165 Compare with a related thangka depicting
Chakrasamvara and his consort, 17th/18th
Provenance 來源: The Jongen-Schleiper century, sold at Sotheby’s New York,
Collection of Fine Thangkas 17 September 2014, lot 405.

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