A thangka of the Bon religion's founder, Tonpa Shenrab
Tibet, 17th century
Tibet, 17th century
Distemper on cloth; Tonpa Shenrab surrounded by 250 enlightened beings, with a wrathful guardian at bottom center, sided by Jambhala to its left and a series of lamas with identifying Tibetan inscriptions followed by lay donors; verso with lengthy Tibetan ink inscription.
Himalayan Art Resources item no.100650
34 5/8 x 27 1/2in (88 x 70cm)
The composition follows the format of a very popular set depicting the Four Transcendent Lords typically present in any Bon temple. Similar examples can be gleaned from Himalayan Art Resources set no.51, dating between the 16th and 19th centuries. The three lamas near the bottom left corner are identified (from left to right) as Kyungpo Yungdrung Gyaltsen, Kyungpo drangson Yeshe Tsultrim, and Yangton Rinchen Lhundrub. A beautiful prayer inscribed on the painting's reverse translates to:
May there be good fortune in the country in which this icon dwells,
May there be great blessing in that fortunate region,
May disease afflicting men and cattle be averted,
May rain fall at the right time,
May the crops and livestock always be good,
May all sentient beings possess perfect happiness!
Published
Pia and Louis Van der Wee, A Tale of Thangkas: Living with a Collection, Antwerp, 1995, pp.130-2, fig. 62.
Per Kvaerne, The Bon Religion of Tibet: The Iconography of a Living Tradition, London, 1995, pp. 50-1, pl. 9.
Exhibited
De Taal van de Thangka, Ethnographic Museum, Antwerp, 1995.
Provenance
The Van Der Wee Collection, Belgium, acquired by 1995
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Tibet, 17th century
Tibet, 17th century
Distemper on cloth; Tonpa Shenrab surrounded by 250 enlightened beings, with a wrathful guardian at bottom center, sided by Jambhala to its left and a series of lamas with identifying Tibetan inscriptions followed by lay donors; verso with lengthy Tibetan ink inscription.
Himalayan Art Resources item no.100650
34 5/8 x 27 1/2in (88 x 70cm)
The composition follows the format of a very popular set depicting the Four Transcendent Lords typically present in any Bon temple. Similar examples can be gleaned from Himalayan Art Resources set no.51, dating between the 16th and 19th centuries. The three lamas near the bottom left corner are identified (from left to right) as Kyungpo Yungdrung Gyaltsen, Kyungpo drangson Yeshe Tsultrim, and Yangton Rinchen Lhundrub. A beautiful prayer inscribed on the painting's reverse translates to:
May there be good fortune in the country in which this icon dwells,
May there be great blessing in that fortunate region,
May disease afflicting men and cattle be averted,
May rain fall at the right time,
May the crops and livestock always be good,
May all sentient beings possess perfect happiness!
Published
Pia and Louis Van der Wee, A Tale of Thangkas: Living with a Collection, Antwerp, 1995, pp.130-2, fig. 62.
Per Kvaerne, The Bon Religion of Tibet: The Iconography of a Living Tradition, London, 1995, pp. 50-1, pl. 9.
Exhibited
De Taal van de Thangka, Ethnographic Museum, Antwerp, 1995.
Provenance
The Van Der Wee Collection, Belgium, acquired by 1995
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
