EARLY MING DYNASTY (1368-1425)

细节

A FINE AND RARE EMBROIDERED THANKA OF THE BUDDHA SAKYAMUNI
EARLY MING DYNASTY (1368-1425)
The finely embroidered thanka 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 depicting Buddha Sakyamuni, seated in dhyanasana above a tiered, ornamented throne, wearing a pink garment under two robes, one green, the other red, holding a patra, an alms bowl, in his right hand, his left in bhumisparsa mudra, the earth-touching gesture; all above a lower register with precious objects and Buddhist emblems supported on the lotus flowers; all embroidered in tones of blue and green, coral, pink, white, mustard yellow, tan and white
9¾ x 20 1/8 (24.5 x 51 cm.) framed and glazed

出版

Valrae Reynolds, 'The Silk Road: From China to Tibet- and Back', Orientations, May 1995, pp. 50-57, fig. 2.

展览

Hong Kong, Heavens' Embroidered Cloths, One Thousand Years of Chinese Textiles, June-September 1995, no. 22h.
New York, Japan Society, Crosscurrents: Masterpieces of East Asian Art from New York Private Collections, 22 March-11 July 1999, no. 13.

拍品专文

Compare with several related embroidered thankas of this date. One in the Cleveland Museum of Art, numbered 'Seventh Bodhisattva' on the reverse, and most similar to the present lot, was included in the exhibition catalogue, J.C.Y. Watt and A.P. Wardwell, When Silk Was Gold, Central Asian and Chinese Textiles, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1997, pp. 207-8, no. 63, where another thanka, numbered 'Tenth Bodhisattva', identified as Manjusri, is mentioned as being in the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The authors state that at least ten other small thankas of this composition are known, apparently from five different sets.
Also illustrated in the catalogue, op. cit., p. 209, fig. 90, is a line drawing of a Tibetan Buddhist temple interior, showing the placement of painted consecration thankas. These would have been briefly suspended from the interior beams during special festivals.