Linen, brocade, silk, cotton
Tibet, first half of the 20th century
Padmasambhava and his various forms and deities
Detailed depiction
Mounted on brocade frame
Silk protection with Tibetan inscription
Total dimensions: 122 x 85 cm (height x width)
Good condition
Provenance: from a German private collection
Detailed painting in vivid colors

This detailed Tibetan thangka was painted on linen and it is mounted on a brocade frame. It depicts Padmasambhava, often called Guru Rinpoche. He is sitting in lalitâsana, the relaxed position, on a lotus pedestal. In his left hand he holds an ambrosia vase filled with amrita, the elixir of life, out of which a holy Ashoka branch grows. The raised right hand holds a vajra with three fingers. Padmasambhava has striking facial features and is wearing a finely chased robe and precious jewellery. He is surrounded by various, richly ornamented forms and deities in a scenic setting. The brocade frame shows floral decorations. The thangka can be covered by a silk protector with a Tibetan inscription, which can be fastened with two red strings.



The thangka is in good condition with slight signs of age and wear. The painting shows small abrasions and scattered creases. The silk protector shows a few small holes. The piece measures 122 cm (height); 85 cm (length). The image measures 71 cm (height); 54 cm (width).



Guru Rinpoche

Guru Rinpoche, also Padmasambhava, Guru Padma, Padina Sambhava or Padmakara, (literally ‘Lotus-Born’) is viewed as being the founder of Buddhism in Tibet. Since there are hardly any facts about his life, his appearance is determined by various legends.



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 wells 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.