Page 55 - Fine Chinese, Japanese and Buddhist Art September 28, 2018 Galerie Zacke

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A RARE 19 CENTURY THANGKA A RARE 19 CENTURY
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‘HVASHANG RETURNING TO CHINA THANGKA DEPICTING
WITH THE 16 ARHATS’ PEHAR GYALPO
Distemper and gold paint on cloth, Distemper and gold paint on
framed in silk brocade mounting with cloth, framed in plain linen
segmented inner rims mounting
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Sino-Tibetan, late 19 century Sino-Tibetan, 19 century
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This thangka shows the rare motif of This thangka shows the rare
Buddha Shakyamuni in union with motif of Pehar Gyalpo, the
Tsongkhapa, throning above him, at worldly protector king, as the
the center of the vivid scenery depicting central figure. The wrathful
the legend of Hvashang returning to deity with blue skin is shown
China with the 16 Arhats by crossing seated on a white elephant
the ocean. The Arhats are accompanied and is holding a dagger and a
by their attendant Dharmata and in the vajra string in his hands. The
foreground we see the four heavenly flame back-drop adds to the
kings of the cardinal directions guiding powerful appearance of the
them. Next to the kings is a boat where portrayal. The central figure is
inside Hvashang is seated with some surrounded by the five forms
servants at his side. of Pehar Gyalpo, all riding a
different beast. At the very top
The painting is executed with much is a Buddha figure holding a
attention for detail, at the wavy sea bowl and showing the gesture
we find countless auspicious objects of granting wishes.
and very fine gold paint inscription.
Inscriptions to backside as well. Shape: Rectangular vertical
shape
According to legend within the Tibetan Dimensions: 70 x 43 cm
book, Inviting the Arhats, Hvashang (painting size), 120 x 59 cm
was sent to India by a Chinese Tang (mounting)
emperor to invite the sixteen great Condition: The painting is in
arhats so that they may transmit overall good condition with
Buddhism throughout China and Tibet. some stains and abrasions.
The linen mount is soiled and
Shape: Rectangular vertical shape shows several stitches and
Dimensions: 62x 41 cm (painting size), loose threads
119 x 73 cm (mounting) Provenance: Hungarian Private
Condition: The painting is in overall Collection
good condition with some creases
and abrasions. One small burn on the Auction result comparison:
backside has resulted in a small tear Sotheby’s, THE RICHARD
(hardly noticeable). The mount is in fine R. & MAGDALENA ERNST
condition as well COLLECTION OF HIMALAYAN
Provenance: Hungarian Private ART, 22 MARCH 2018, New
Collection York, lot 964 (for a Thangka
with the same motif)
Literature comparison: Himalayan Art
Resources online archive shows a series 份夳䘬IJĺᶾ䲨䘥⑰䇦䤆Ⓒ⌉
of works related to the subject in the 先⊾柷㕁冯慹⼑炻ⶫ朊炻Ṇ湣
article ‘Arhats: Travelling to China’ ⶫ墅ⷨ
㻊啷炻IJĺᶾ䲨
Auction result comparison: Bonham’s, ⑩䚠列⤥
INDIAN, HIMALAYAN & SOUTHEAST ⊰䈁⇑䥩Ṣ㓞啷
ASIAN ART
14 March 2016, NEW YORK, lot 40 (for EstimateġEUR 400,-
an 18 century thangka with the same Starting price EUR 200,-
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motif).
䦨㚱䘬IJĺᶾ䲨ȿ␴⯂冯IJķ伭㻊⚆㬠ᷕ
⚳ȿⒸ⌉
先⊾柷㕁冯慹⼑炻ⶫ朊炻↮㭝䴚䵊墅墙
㻊啷炻IJĺᶾ䲨㘂㛇
⑩䚠列⤥
⊰䈁⇑䥩Ṣ㓞啷ġ
EstimateġEUR 500,-
Starting price EUR 250,-

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