A thangka with four mandalas of Vajravali
A thangka with four mandalas of Vajravali

TIBET, 15TH CENTURY

Details
A thangka with four mandalas of Vajravali
Tibet, 15th century
With Amitayus seated at center surrounded by eight additional images of the deity and a mandala in each corner with a deity at center, including clockwise from top left, Vajradhatu, Shakya Simha, Marichi, and Bhutadamara Vajrapani, with additional Buddhist deities in the fields between and in the register above
30½ x 29 in. (77.4 x 73.6 cm.)
Provenance
Private collection, London, mid-1960s

Brought to you by

Hugo Weihe
Hugo Weihe

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Lot Essay

In Himalayan Buddhism, the mandala is a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional space, such as the celestial palace where a specific deity resides. They are comprised of concentric circles and squares occupied by the main deity at center and figures from his or her retinue arranged in order of importance in the interstitial spaces. Sometimes they include a landscape, and additional lineage figures above and below, as in the present example. All of these details contribute to a rich visual iconongraphy which rewards multiple viewings.

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