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93

Thangka with 11-Headed Avalokiteshvara, Tibet, 19/20th C.

Currency:EUR Category:Collectibles Start Price:400.00 EUR Estimated At:640.00 - 800.00 EUR
Thangka with 11-Headed Avalokiteshvara, Tibet, 19/20th C.
Polychrome color on linen
Tibet, 19th/20th century
Depiction of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
With further Bodhisattvas in the background
Rich imagery in intense colors
Mounted on a hardboard
Dimensions, framed: 75.5 x 58 cm
Image size: 71 x 53.5 cm
Provenance: Private collection Hamburg
Decorative painting with the illustration of the Bodhisattva of compassion amidst an ideal landscape

This vigorous Tibetan thangka represents a painting on linen. The shapes and colors of a thangka are predetermined, as it is bound to precise defined iconographic rules. Here the bodhisattva of compassion is depicted in the center and stands in samabhanga on a lotus cushion. The wing-shaped arms surround the deity, who encloses with the two main hands the jewel of wisdom. Avalokiteshvara is considered as the emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, whose head forms the upper end. In the scenic environment other deities are visible on lotus flowers.



The thangka shows signs of age and use and is mounted on hardboard. The edge is trimmed, color wear and kinks are visible. The frame shows flaking and the framed overall dimensions are 75.5 x 58 cm. The image size is 71 x 53.5 cm.



Avalokiteshvara

In Mahayana Buddhism, Avalokiteshvara is known as the Bodhisattva of compassion. Literally translated his name roughly means ‘The Lord looking at the world with compassion’. Already at a young age Avalokiteshvara has resolved to support all living creatures and to help them to salvation. He swore an oath never to ease his efforts otherwise he should shatter into a thousand pieces. According to legend he then ranged the world. As he paused to look at his work, he noticed that the suffering of the people did not diminish. This moment gave him doubts, so that he broke into a thousand pieces. Immediately countless Buddhas came to him to put him together back again. But this time they gave him a thousand arms and eleven heads, so that he could better fulfill his vow.

Thangka

A Thangka (Tibetan: ka thang, thang ga) is a scroll painting of Tantric Buddhism. It is used for meditation in temples or in home shrines and processions. Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, guardian deities, Arhats, various lamas, ascetics and Pandits in various incarnations are portrayed in scenes of their life. Often they depict mandalas with the wheel of life as well as lines of tradition. Thangkas are created according to well-defined iconographic rules (in terms of body shape, dress and attitude of the sitter), and are particularly common in Tibet.
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