Page 110 - Bonhams Asian and Chinese Art London Nov. 2019

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A THANGKA OF SHRI DEVI A THANGKA OF BON DEITY TROWO TSOCHOG KAGYING
17th century Tibet, circa 17th century
Distemper on cloth, 47cm x 35.3cm (18 1/2in x 13 7/8in). Distemper on cloth. 78cm (30 3/4in) x 60cm (23 5/8in)
£2,000 - 3,000 £2,000 - 3,000
HK$20,000 - 29,000 HK$20,000 - 29,000
CNY18,000 - 27,000 CNY18,000 - 27,000

Shri Devi is the wrathful emanation of a number of different peaceful Provenance
female gods and deities. She is the focus of the Anuttarayoga Steven Yassky, New York, mid-1970s, by repute.
Tantras and the Mahakala Tantra. Seated on a mule with the skin of
her son as a saddle, holding a skull cup and a vajra staff, the central The Bon Religion is considered the original diverse ritual, belief and
deity may be identified as Magzor Gyalmo, the Glorious Goddess faith system(s) of Tibet and the Himalayan regions.
who Repels Armies, focus of the Dakinyagnijihajvala Tantra of the
Nyingma Tantra. Her flaming hair is fronted by a tiara of skulls above Trowo Tsochog Khagying is wrathful in appearance, blue-black in
the wrathful face, the body encircled by a garland of human heads, colour, with three faces: blue, white and red. He has six hands that
the mount galloping across a sea of red blood with floating human hold various attributes whilst also holding his consort, Khala Dugmo,
remains, surrounded by the goddesses of the Himalayas including who is red in colour with one face and two hands, holding upraised in
Tseringma and retinue attendant figures. the right a five pointed star.
They wear wrathful ornaments and heavenly garments completely
surrounded by the flames of wisdom fire. Outside are the Four
Wrathful Ones Who Avert Evil at either side of the throne, the Eight
Emanations of the Outer Circle, the Four Doorkeepers, Twenty-seven
Powerful Ladies, Nine Chinte, Twenty Athletes and Generals, the Ten
Generals and the Four Outer Doorkeepers.

For other thangkas depicting the deity surrounded by his retinue, see
Himalayan Art Resources no. 19830. and Sotheby’s, The Richard R.
& Magdalena Ernst Collection of Himalayan Art, 22 March 2018, New
York, lot 947.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
108 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.