18th Oct, 2024 11:00
TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism
326
A THANGKA OF AMITABHA IN SUKHAVATI HEAVEN, 18TH-19TH CENTURY
Sold for €1,820
including Buyer's Premium
Eastern Tibet. Distemper and gold on cloth. Finely painted with Buddha Amitabha at the center, seated on a lotus throne supported on a peacock base, dressed in orange and white robes, and backed by a blue mandorla and green aureole. To his left and right stand Vajrapani and Avalokiteshvara and six bodhisattvas, and to his front is a table with offerings supported on a lotus with another table surrounded by eight disciples holding offerings. The upper register depicts the Buddhas of the Ten Directions and eight bodhisattvas gliding above clouds.
Provenance: Austrian trade. Acquired from an old private estate.
Condition: Good condition with old wear, minor creasing, soiling, small stains, minor losses, small old repairs and minor touchups, fraying to edges.
Dimensions: Size 84.5 x 55.3 cm
In the Namcho tradition, Amitabha is often depicted with the two bodhisattva figures, Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani standing to the right and left sides. Avalokiteshvara is usually in his four-armed form of Chaturbhuja. These two figures are standard in the Namcho description. The remaining six of the Eight Bodhisattvas are seated around Amitabha’s throne and represent the realized Sangha of the Mahayana Tradition.
Sukhavati (pure land) is described as the Western Paradise of Buddha Amitabha in the Pure Land schools of Mahayana Buddhism. According to followers of the Pure Land schools, which are widespread throughout East Asia, rebirth in Sukhavati is ensured by invoking the name of Amitabha, particularly at the moment of death. Sukhavati is expressively described in the Pure Land sutras as being a joyous world, soft and glowing, filled with the music of birds and the tinkling of trees adorned with precious jewels and garlands of golden bells.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related thangka depicting Amitabha in Sukhavati, dated to the 19th century, in the collection of Tibet House, New York, illustrated on Himalayan Art Resources, item number 90723. Compare a related thangka depicting Amitabha in Sukhavati, dated to the 18th century, in the Rubin Museum of Art, illustrated on Himalayan Art Resources, item no. 856.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams London, 11 May 2017, lot 8
Price: GBP 9,375 or approx. EUR 16,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A thangka of Amitayus, Tibet, 19th century
Expert remark: Compare the related subject and composition. Note the size (63 x 97 cm).
Eastern Tibet. Distemper and gold on cloth. Finely painted with Buddha Amitabha at the center, seated on a lotus throne supported on a peacock base, dressed in orange and white robes, and backed by a blue mandorla and green aureole. To his left and right stand Vajrapani and Avalokiteshvara and six bodhisattvas, and to his front is a table with offerings supported on a lotus with another table surrounded by eight disciples holding offerings. The upper register depicts the Buddhas of the Ten Directions and eight bodhisattvas gliding above clouds.
Provenance: Austrian trade. Acquired from an old private estate.
Condition: Good condition with old wear, minor creasing, soiling, small stains, minor losses, small old repairs and minor touchups, fraying to edges.
Dimensions: Size 84.5 x 55.3 cm
In the Namcho tradition, Amitabha is often depicted with the two bodhisattva figures, Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani standing to the right and left sides. Avalokiteshvara is usually in his four-armed form of Chaturbhuja. These two figures are standard in the Namcho description. The remaining six of the Eight Bodhisattvas are seated around Amitabha’s throne and represent the realized Sangha of the Mahayana Tradition.
Sukhavati (pure land) is described as the Western Paradise of Buddha Amitabha in the Pure Land schools of Mahayana Buddhism. According to followers of the Pure Land schools, which are widespread throughout East Asia, rebirth in Sukhavati is ensured by invoking the name of Amitabha, particularly at the moment of death. Sukhavati is expressively described in the Pure Land sutras as being a joyous world, soft and glowing, filled with the music of birds and the tinkling of trees adorned with precious jewels and garlands of golden bells.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related thangka depicting Amitabha in Sukhavati, dated to the 19th century, in the collection of Tibet House, New York, illustrated on Himalayan Art Resources, item number 90723. Compare a related thangka depicting Amitabha in Sukhavati, dated to the 18th century, in the Rubin Museum of Art, illustrated on Himalayan Art Resources, item no. 856.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams London, 11 May 2017, lot 8
Price: GBP 9,375 or approx. EUR 16,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A thangka of Amitayus, Tibet, 19th century
Expert remark: Compare the related subject and composition. Note the size (63 x 97 cm).
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