Ten Tsaklis depicting various forms of Tara

TIBET, CIRCA 18TH/19TH CENTURY

Details

Ten Tsaklis depicting various forms of Tara
Tibet, circa 18th/19th century
One depicting a wrathful Tara dancing on one foot and the rest each with the goddess seated on a lotus, her hands in varada and vitarka mudras, backed by a halo and aureole and with devotional figures and scenes below, the verso with a fingerprint and inscription
Opaque pigments and gold on textile
5¼ x 4 1/8 in. (13.3 x 11.2 cm) (10)

Provenance

Hong Kong art market, before 2000

Lot Essay

The present set of tsaklis derive from a Nyingma terma, or Revealed Treasure, tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and would have been used to protect the donor from worldly obstacles and fears. Each card depicts a distinct form of Tara along with the particular fear from which she protects and a small devotional figure paying homage beneath. The fingerprint on the verso was likely made by the Nyingma lama responsible for consecrating the set.

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