Page 18 - Bonhams IMages of Devotion, Hong Kong Nov 30 2022

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A THANGKA OF VAJRAVARAHI
TIBET, CIRCA 12TH CENTURY
Distemper on cloth; verso with the Buddhist creed “y’e-dha-rma-he-du-pra...”
in ink.
Himalayan Art Resources item no. 4735
79.5 x 59.5 cm (31 x 23 1/2 in.)
HKD1,200,000 - 1,600,000

西藏 約十二世紀 金剛亥母唐卡

Vajravarahi, the red tantric goddess, is depicted here dancing in a formal
arrangement of shallow space. Bodhisattvas and wrathful protectors painted with
exquisite delineations flank the side registers. A retinue of dakinis line the bottom,
each depicted in a different color, as a single donor figure in white robes sits in
the lower left corner. In the top register, Indian and Tibetan Buddhist masters are
illustrated, each with distinctive character, costume, coiffure, and facial features.
Indian mahasiddhas are depicted with bare torsos, Indian monks in full red robes,
and Tibetan monks wear brimmed yellow caps and blue or white inner robes
covered by red, saffron, or white outer robes. The figure near the top right corner,
clad in a yellow sleeveless vest, red inner robe, and yellow outer robe has the
common sartorial appearence of a Taklung master, whose order flourished during
the 12th and 13th centuries.

The thankga’s geometric layout featuring the goddess as the prominent central
figure, the pronounced coloration of red and orange pigments, and her naked
appearance adorned with white bone jewelry and accompanying ensemble
correspond with other 12th-/13th-century depictions of the goddess, particularly
one illustrated in Kossak and Singer, Sacred Visions, 1998, pp. 100-1. Similarities
between the paintings are unmistakable. In both, the dakini is painted vermillion
and set within a darker red flame background. She holds the implements of a
skull cup, hooked knife, and ritual staff. Each wears a garland of severed skulls,
and both hold a fluttering green tipped scarf around their necks. The posture is
identical with the right knee crossed horizontally against her body as her left leg
tramples a sun disc over a supine figure on an ochre base. Encircling her in each
are smaller dancing dakinis on floating bases which are further surrounded by
eight cremation grounds painted on a dark blue background with each vignette
separated by a winding stream.

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