A BLACK GROUND THANGKA OF VYAGHRAVAHANA MAHAKALA, TIBET, THARTSE LABRANG OF NGOR EWAM MONASTERY, 17TH-18TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A BLACK GROUND THANGKA OF VYAGHRAVAHANA MAHAKALA, TIBET, THARTSE LABRANG OF NGOR EWAM MONASTERY, 17TH-18TH CENTURY Gold and distemper on cloth. Finely painted, depicting at the center the wrathful Mahakala shown astride a tiger, clad in a voluminous dark robe richly embellished with gold floral motifs, while raising in the right hand a flowing ritual staff (khatvanga) and holding to his mouth with his left a skull cup which the blood contained within. His fierce countenance is distinguished by three eyes, a crown of skulls, and an abundant flame-like hair. The upper register with the standing six-armed White Mahakala flanked by two lamas seated in meditation and clad in loose-fitting monastic robes. In the lower register are the Three Monpa attendants of Mahakala's retinue. The central figure brandishes a knife and holds a skull cup; the figure at right drags a corpse, while the third wields a curved flaying knife (kartika). Dimensions: Image size 49.1 x 36.7 cm, Size incl. mounting 84.4 x 45.1 cm Vyaghravahana Mahakala, or the Tiger-Riding Mahakala, is among the rarest manifestations of the great Buddhist protector. The form appears to have originated in the Nyingma tradition and belongs to the Legden class of Mahakala deities, while surviving representations are closely associated with the Thartse Labrang of Ngor Ewam Monastery within the Sakya tradition. The monastery was traditionally divided into four principal monastic houses, each entrusted with the ritual service of a particular protector deity; Vyaghravahana Mahakala was the special protector of the Thartse Labrang. His tiger mount, flowing robe, bow and quiver evoke the appearance of an Inner Asian warrior, heightening his martial character and his power to overcome obstacles and defend the Buddhist teachings. The present composition expands this rare form into a complex protector cycle. The White Mahakala and two lineage masters preside above, while the figures below represent the Three Monpa attendants of the Tiger-Riding Mahakala, traditionally understood as embodiments of speech, mind and body. The contrast between the calm, hieratic lamas and the violently animated protectors below is particularly striking, with flames, clouds and charnel-ground imagery surging around the central deity. Far from being merely macabre, this imagery expresses the transformative power of enlightened wrath: the destruction of ignorance, the subjugation of spiritual obstacles, and the protection of the Dharma. Literature comparison: Compare a related Tibetan thangka of Mahakala riding a tiger, dated 18th century, illustrated in Himalayan Art Resources, item no. 35855. Compare a related black-ground thangka depicting Mahakala riding a tiger, illustrated on Himalayan Art Resources, item number 1352. Compare a related Tibetan thangka of the Tiger Riding Mahakala, dated early 19th century, in the Rubin Museum of Art, object number C2002.38.2. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 16 September 1998, lot 148 Price: USD 11,500 or approx. EUR 20,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the related subject and manner of painting. Note the similar size (52 x 38 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s London, 18 September 2023, lot 140 Price: USD 24,130 or approx. EUR 31,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the related subject and manner of painting. Note the size (68 x 52.6 cm).

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