Himalayan Mandala Thangka with a Many-Armed Deity, c. 1940–1970

A mandala thangka in the Tibetan tradition

This rolled thangka was painted in the mid-20th century in the Tibetan tradition, in Tibet or Nepal. A deep blue mandala sits within a yellow silk inner border, framed by faded brown silk damask, with the dust cover rolled up at the top. The hanging loops and cord are still in place. The size of 76 × 45 cm refers to the whole scroll including its mounting; the painted field itself is smaller and almost square.

Description

At the heart of the mandala stands a palace with four T-shaped gates, each crowned by a dharma wheel. In the innermost circle sits a pale, many-armed deity, with four attendants in red halos placed at the cardinal directions. Small offering figures occupy the corners outside the circle. Above and below runs a row of five seated figures on lotus bases; the central one is greenish with red ribbons, the others sit in meditation.

The attributes and inscriptions are too worn to name the deity with certainty. This is not a full ritual mandala: there is no ring of fire, no charnel grounds and no yab-yum. Nor is the painting Chinese; the brown damask is the Chinese silk customarily used for mounting and says nothing about the painter.

Dating

Rather than a 19th-century monastic thangka, this is a Himalayan workshop piece from the middle of the 20th century, around 1940–1970. The drawing is flat and studio-like, the faces are schematic, and the back carries no consecration inscription (no Om Ah Hum). The reverse is lined with machine-printed floral cotton.

Condition

The composition is complete, but the pigment is worn. The faces have faded, the gold line is thin and the ground is dull with light craquelure. There are creases, but no major tear. The silk border is faded and soiled, and the yellow inner border is worn. The back shows damp rings and stains, a tide line around the painted field and a number written in ballpoint pen.

Specifications

• Origin: Himalaya, Tibetan tradition (Tibet or Nepal)
• Date: 20th century, c. 1940–1970
• Material: cotton, pigment and gold line; silk brocade (front) and printed cotton (back)
• Dimensions: H 76 × W 45 cm, including mounting
• Weight: not measured
• SKU: 843

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