EARLY MING DYNASTY (1368-1424)

Details

A FINE AND RARE EMBROIDERED THANGKA OF YAMA
EARLY MING DYNASTY (1368-1424)
The finely embroidered thangka divided into three registers of decoration, framed with a classic scroll couched in gold thread: the top register contains a sacred parasol amid clouds, protection from the heat and evil desires; the middle register depicts the blue-skinned deity Yama, the guardian of one of the four directions of the wind, wearing a yellow robe, a crown and holding a red staff, he sits in a casual pose atop a recumbent blue bull on a lotus throne; all above a lower register with lotus scrolls, the five flower heads supporting one lantsa character of a five-syllable sacred mantra; all embroidered in tones of blue and green, coral, pink, white, mustard yellow, tan and white
6 7/8 x 15 5/8 in. (17.5 x 39.5 cm.), framed and glazed

Literature

Galloway and Simcox, The Art of Textiles, London, Spink and Son, Ltd., 1989, p. 25, no. 20.

Exhibited

Hong Kong, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Heavens' Embroidered Cloths, One Thousand Years of Chinese Textiles, 1995, no. 22c.

Lot Essay

The result of a radioactive carbon 14 test done at Oxford University is consistent with the dating of this lot.

See footnote to lot 196.

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