Page 30 - Chinese Art Bonhams San Francisco December 18, 2017

837
A THANGKA OF TSONGKHAPA EMANATING FROM MAITREYA
Central Tibet, 19th century
Distemper on cloth, remounted within a brocade border, framed and
glazed.
18 1/4in (46.5cm) visible height of image
28 1/4in (71.7cm) total height of frame

$3,000 - 5,000

At the center of this thangka, the founding triad of the Gelugpa School
manifests from the heart of Maitreya upon a billowing cloud. The
order’s founder, Tsongkhapa, sits enthroned, joined by his successors
as Ganden Tripa (the spiritual leader of the Gelugpas) Gyeltsab Darma
Rinchen (1364-1432), and Khedrup Geleg Palzang
(1385-1438).

The wisdom-sword and texts that blossom by his shoulders are
attributes of Manjushri, with whom Tsongkhapa is associated. In
visual allegory, they arise from Tsongkhapa’s hands as he displays the
gesture of advancing the dharma. Above him, Maitreya holds court
within Tushita Heaven.

This charming composition was most likely developed by the
prominent 19th-century thangka master, Trehor Namkha Gyan,
inspired by Khedrupje’s fifth vision of Tsongkhapa, as described in his
biographies; in times of doubt Tsongkhapa consoled Khedrupje, who
was tasked with stewarding the fledgling school after the founder’s
death. Related examples have been sold recently at Sotheby’s, New
York, 14 September 2016, lot 160 and Bonhams, London, 11 May
2017, lot 22.

837

838
A THANGKA DEPICTING THE SAGE OF LONG LIFE
Eastern Tibet, 18th century
Distemper on cloth; now framed and glazed, Himalayan Art Resources
item no.90308.
14 1/2in (37cm) visible height of image

$1,000 - 1,500
Representing long life and wisdom, the immortal sage is accompanied
by the other five iconographic elements - the longevity mountain, tree,
water, birds and antelopes - and joined by the long-life Buddha at the
top left of the composition. For another painting of the same subject,
see himalayanart.org/items/1095.

Provenance
Hollywood Galleries, Hong Kong
Private American Collection, acquired from the above, 24 November
1995

838

28 | BONHAMS