Tibetan Thangkas

The Historical Buddha Seated on a Throne

Tibet, 18^th century, Thangka surrounded by original textiles. The Buddha sits on a lotus throne with his hand is in an earth-witnessing position confirming his enlightenment. The base of the throne includes two protector lions, left and right, with the Tibetan inscription of the Buddhist creed in the center. The bottom of the inscription illustrates the wheel of the law on another lotus base. This heavenly throne also illustrates two protector deities riding horses, left and right, over which a pair of makaras (mythical creatures) can be seen, all of which are surmounted by a Garuda figure acting as an over-arching protector. This throne is enhanced by gold leaf decoration to the throne chair as well as stylized floral ornamentation leading up to the top.  Surrounding the base are the Buddha’s two main disciples holding begging bowls. They are Ananda and Sāriputra.

Forty-six Buddha figures seated on lotus thrones surround the central Buddha. They refer to past eons when other Buddhas existed.

The rich deep blue nimbuses around many of the Buddha figures are created through the use of ground lapis lazuli as part of the gouache colors which are generally from vegetable and mineral dyes.

Private collection of John and Berthe Ford.

Vajrapani

Tibet, 17^th century, Thangka with embroidered silk border. The central figure is a three-headed form of Vajrapani, the bearer of the vajra, or thunderbolt, which he holds in his upper right hand. He has three heads and six hands. His lower left hand holds a serpent which goes through his mouth and is extended into his middle right hand, all terminating under his feet. With his two lower hands, he clutches his prajna, or his consort. She is rendered in a green tonality where the male is rendered in dark blue. His body also is covered with a skin of a flayed tiger. This demonic and powerful protector deity is surrounded by flickering flames denoting his power to destroy evil forces.

The surrounding landscape is very peaceful with three historical Buddhas at the top, namely Tsongka-pa in the center, Sakya Pandita on the left and  the great Fifth Dalai Lama on the right, all surrounded by celestial clouds. The verdant green, left and right, show very peaceful animals, birds, trees and waterfalls. Three cartouches at the bottom illustrate a peaceful Vajrapani in the center, a dark brown Mahakala on the left and a black Yi-dam standing on the right.

Private collection of John and Berthe Ford.