Page 102 - Bonhams IMages of Devotion, Hong Kong Nov 30 2022

1036
A BLACK GROUND THANGKA OF SHADBHUJA MAHAKALA
TIBET, 19TH CENTURY
Distemper on cloth.
Himalayan Art Resources item no. 4707
Image: 69 x 50 cm (27 1/8 x 19 2/3 in.)
With silks: 122 x 75.5 cm (42 x 29 3/4 in.)
HKD400,000 - 600,000

西藏 十九世紀 六臂大黑天黑唐卡

This ethereal image depicts the protector deity Shadbhuja Mahakala with perfect
lines, forms, and complex composition of exceptional quality. His boundless
energy seems to burgeon from out beyond his bulging eyes and gaping mouth,
framed by tense facial muscles, and to radiate in all directions – his pristine
awareness on fire. The generous use of gold seen in the flawless strands of his
upswept hair show a real mastery of the brush. Meanwhile, the meticulous and
selective use of blue and red shading enhances the thangka’s depth.

Described by Rhie & Thurman, in reference to a comparable painting, blackground
thangkas served to intensify the visual impression of wrathful deities who project
an aura of overwhelming power in order to protect or assist practitioners.
“The black color here reflects the ultimate reality, voidness, the Truth Body of
enlightened beings. Beings enjoying the awareness of this reality are only moved
to manifestation by compassion, which is the source of the striking beauty of their
forms and surroundings.” (Rhie & Thurman, Wisdom and Compassion, 1991, p.
297).

Shadbhuja Mahakala was brought to Tibet by Khyungpo Naljor, the founder of the
Shangpa Kagyu School. The practice became popular in the Sakya, Kagyu, and
Jonang traditions and was later adopted into the Gelugpa School, becoming one
of three principal protectors of the Sarma tradition. Depicted at the painting’s apex
is the Gelug order’s founder, Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) flanked by ancillary forms of
Mahakala while surrounding Shadbhuja Mahakala is an inner retinue of five figures.
Starting at the top right and moving clockwise is black Jinamitra, Trakshe riding a
horse, Palden Lhamo riding a black mule, Shri Devi riding a red mule, Kshetrapala
riding a bear, and red Takkiraja.

At the top center is a very small figure of Buddha Vajradhara. Below that to the
lower right and left are the two female Indian teachers Sukhasiddhi and Niguma.
Between the two is the Tibetan teacher Kedrub Khyungpo Naljor (1050-1127) the
founder of the Shangpa Tradition. At the top left side is Heruka Chakrasamvara
embracing the consort Vajrayogini. At the top right is ‘Secret Accomplishment’
Hayagriva of the Kyergangpa tradition. Below those two on the left is Kachod
Marmo and on the right side is Kachod Karmo. These two female deities are
specialized forms of Vajrayogini and are employed in advanced Tantric meditation
practices.

This remarkable painting compares favorably to two other blackground thangkas
of Shadbhuja in the Rubin Museum of Art (HAR 650 and 471). Also see a later
painting of Bernagchen of comparable quality sold at Bonhams, Hong Kong, 5
October 2020, lot 114.

Provenance
Navin Kumar
Fournier Collection, 1980s

100 | BONHAMS