A RARE SILK APPLIQUE THANGKA OF A LUOHAN TIBET, 15TH CENTURY

probably Vanavasin, the aged arhat seated in a rocky landscape, wearing a voluminous robe made of variously patterned late Yuan and early Ming dynasty textiles, holding a flywhisk and gnarled ruyi, his weary face encircled by a blue halo detailed with fine features set in a benevolent expression, with thick billows of clouds above

This thangka, probably depicting Vanasavin, is a fragment of what was‎ probably a massive thangka depicting the 18 luohans. The fabric is worn and distressed in areas with some loose threads as visible on the photo, predominantly below the arrhat left ear and on his neck and right arm. There are further holes on the cloud formation above. The textile is generally soiled and faded from its exposure to light, although the actual colours are rather warmer and more subdued compared to the catalogue photo. They are closer to the actual illustration for the lot compared to the detail on the cover of the printed catalogue. The old fabric border is soiled and distressed. The thankgas is lined in the back with a more recent fabric.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This rare and early panel is made up of fine patterned silks dating from the late Yuan or early Ming dynasty and probably formed part of a massive appliqué thangka depicting Shakyamuni Buddha and his sixteen arhats.  Such monumental thangkas are unfurled down the outer walls of monasteries or hillsides on auspicious festival days, a tradition known in Tibet from at least the fourteenth century. Dr. Pal has noted that Karmapa Rolpe Dorje (1343-1383) was presented with a silk thangka depicting Manjushri and Maitreya flanking Buddha Shaykamuni that measured eleven arm spans in width, see Pal, Art of Tibet, 1969, p. 51. Although the silks used in these thangkas are invariably Chinese the appliqué work is a particular skill of Tibetan artists.