Page 146 - Bonhams NYC Indian and Himalayan Art March 2019

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A SILK THANGKA OF MAHACHAKRA VAJRAPANI Painted on blue silk patterned with clouds, this rare thangka depicts
TIBET, CIRCA 16TH CENTURY Mahachakra Vajrapani surrounded by further manifestations of
Distemper on silk; verso lengthily inscribed in Tibetan with gold paint, Vajrapani, Buddhism’s ancient protector. In this Mahachakra form,
consisting of dharanis and the last line translated, “The Buddha can Vajrapani manifests as a great yidam (meditational deity) - an
bear the unbearable”. enlightened being who can be the focus of one’s tantric practice,
Himalayan Art Resources item no.61947 bestowing powers and spiritual attainments. That he is depicted
Image: 25 1/4 x 25 1/4 in. (64 x 64 cm) sharing the poison of the snake in his mouth with his female sakti in
yab yum makes this an all the more religiously potent image. Various
$10,000 - 15,000 mahasiddhas populate the field above, while the paintings’ subject is
suggested to be the vision of the lama in the bottom left corner, seated
西藏 約十六世紀 大輪金剛手菩薩絲質唐卡 under a canopy with his right hand raised in the gesture of explication
(vitarka mudra).

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