An Avadana Thangka

EASTERN TIBET, 17TH CENTURY

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An Avadana Thangka
Eastern Tibet, 17th Century
Very finely painted depicting the Buddha on a lotus cushion in red robes highlighted with gold florettes, surrounded by an elaborate aureole surmounted by a fanciful garuda, further surrounded by teaching scenes, monks, figures in pavillions, and retreat scenes, all painted against a verdant ground; bearing Tibetan inscriptions in gold under the various vignettes; framed
36 x 25¾ in. (91.4 x 65.5 cm.)

Lot Essay

One of the stories depicted here is that of the Rabbit's Selfless Offering (no. 104) at bottom right. The Rabbit, as a previous incarnation of Shakyamuni sacrifices himself in a fire to prevent his companion from entering a city rife with sin and moral decay.

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