A RARE THANGKA DEPICTING A MANDALA OF EKADASHAMUKHA AVALOKITESHVARA, TIBET, 16TH-17TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A RARE THANGKA DEPICTING A MANDALA OF EKADASHAMUKHA AVALOKITESHVARA, TIBET, 16TH-17TH CENTURY Gold and distemper on cloth. Finely painted with eleven-headed, eight-armed Avalokiteshvara standing in samabhanga at the center, his principal hands clasping a precious jewel before the chest. Richly adorned with jewelry, a flowing shawl, and a loosely draped lower garment, he bears nine serene faces arranged in three tiers, surmounted by a wrathful face and the head of Amitabha. The bodhisattva is framed by a luminous aureole and concentric rings of lotus petals bearing subsidiary deities, all enclosed within a square palace with four elaborate gateways. Beyond, two densely populated registers of bodhisattvas, peaceful divinities, and wrathful protectors—including the elephant-headed Ganapati—encircle the palace, bordered by multicolored lotus petals and scrolling ornament. Four large worldly divinities occupy the corners, including multiheaded Brahma above left and a serpent-bodied naga holding a tray of jewels below left. A dharmachakra flanked by two seated religious masters crowns the composition, while further protective figures and a turquoise horse bearing a flaming jewel appear below. Dimensions: Image size 51.2 x 40.8, Size incl. mounting 70.8 x 52.4 cm, Size incl. frame 91.3 x 70.8 cm Mounted on silk and framed behind glass. (2) A mandala is an aid for meditation, with the main object of veneration in the center. In an initiation ritual, the meditator slowly approaches the center and transforms his body and mind into that of the deity. Along the way, the meditator encounters various scenes of religious and historic significance, which aid in his or her meditational journey. All painted mandalas are a blueprint of a three-dimensional reality. They are not only meant to show the outer cosmic and inner psychic universe but also reveal the path to an exalted state, to the inherent Buddhahood that slumbers within every being, waiting to be discovered and awakened. The ultimate essence or unifying principle represented in the form of the central deity symbolizes this perfect world. The bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara is the patron deity of Tibet and appears in a variety of forms both peaceful, wrathful and in large mandalas surrounded by numerous deities. As a universal symbol he embodies the compassion of all buddhas of the ten directions and three times. In the standing form with eleven faces, he is closely associated with the famous bhikshuni (nun) of Kashmir, Lakshmi (Tib.: Ani Palmo), who popularized a meditation practice incorporating a two-day purification and fasting ritual. However, in a large mandala with many deities such as this it was the Acharya Nagarjuna that was responsible for its introduction into Indian Buddhism. Lord Atisha, Rinchen Zangpo, and others popularized this practice throughout Tibet. At one time the Avalokiteshvara made a promise that should he give rise to thoughts of self-benefit, may his head break into ten pieces and the body into a thousand. After continuously witnessing the misery of beings in various states of existence, discouraged, he gave rise to thoughts of seeking only his own happiness. At that very instant the head and body shattered. Calling out to Amitabha, the Buddha came forth and spoke words of encouragement. Gathering up the ten pieces of the head, Amitabha constructed ten faces – representing the ten perfections. Gathering the thousand pieces of the body he constructed another with a thousand hands, each with an eye on the palm – representing the thousand buddhas of the Golden Aeon. Finally, he placed a duplicate of his own head at the crown, illuminating the entire threefold universe. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related Tibetan thangka depicting the mandala of Ekadashamukha Avalokiteshvara, dated to the 16th century, 66 x 62.9 cm, in the Rubin Museum of Art, accession number P1994.10.1, and illustrated by Jeff Watt on Himalayan Art Resources, item number 16. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 12 September 2012, lot 564 Price: USD 52,500 or approx. EUR 65,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of painting, composition, motifs, and size (47.8 x 37.2 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 24 March 2026, lot 817 Price: USD 108,800 or approx. EUR 94,000 converted at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of painting, composition, motifs, and size (46.7 x 38.7 cm).

图片