An astrological thangka, Mongolia, 18th century 十八世紀 蒙古 曼荼羅唐卡

Auction Closed

November 30, 09:40 AM GMT

Estimate

100,000 - 150,000 HKD

Lot Details

Description

An astrological thangka,

Mongolia, 18th century

十八世紀 蒙古 曼荼羅唐卡


44 by 30.5 cm;

with border: 71.5 by 48 cm

Manjushri the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, Shakyamuni Buddha, Shadaksari Avalokitesvara, and Vajrapani are shown presiding above an enclosed square citadel with four gateways.

At the centre of the citadel, the Demon of Time encircles a central mandala whose inner circle contains a circular diagram, or chakra, composed of nine squares. Each of these squares contains a number ranging from 1 to 9 written in Tibetan script; the numbers in each row and column add up to 15. In Tibet Buddhism, these chakras are believed to be imbued with magical and protective powers. The central chakra is surrounded by Chinese trigrams, used by lamas for direction, and by the twelve animals of the Tibetan calendar.

The head of the Demon of Time represents the fire of the South; his tail represents the water of the North.

The four sacred animals - tiger, lion, garuda, and dragon - appear respectively in each gateway, and at each of the outer corners of the mandala.

The square walls of the palace are lined with animals, offerings and banners with inscriptions.

Underneath the citadel, there is a row of the eight auspicious emblems and the seven gems of the realm; below these at the centre, a pedestal bearing offerings emerges from a seven-fold ring of mountains, with attendant animals at each side.
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