Until 1st May, 2026
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A FINE THANGKA DEPICTING NINE ARHATS, TIBET, 17TH-18TH CENTURY
Lot 55 - HS1225
Distemper on cloth. The upper register depicts three Manjushri Boddhisattva, each seated on a lotus throne, holding a sword in their left hands, alle set in a square cartouche behind a cloudy sky. Below them, the nine arhats are depicted in various seated positions, wearing monk’s robes, some elderly and ascetic, others youthful and composed. They are accompanied by attendants, offering figures, or animals and set behind a rocky landscape.
Provenance: From an American private collection.
Condition: Good condition with the expected old wear. Light creasing, minor pigment losses, and slight fraying to the silk-brocade frame. Overall darkening, some touch-ups to the lower half, and scattered traces of use and staining.
Dimensions: Image size 91 x 67 cm, Size incl. frame 102 x 79.2 cm
Set within a frame. (2)
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of wisdom, is one of the most revered bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism. Representing the embodiment of transcendent wisdom, he plays a central role in Buddhist teachings and iconography as the divine manifestation of enlightened intellect. He typically holds a flaming sword in his right hand, which cuts through ignorance and delusion.
Arhats, the enlightened disciples of the historical Buddha, are revered in Buddhist tradition as guardians of the Dharma who vowed to remain in the world to protect and uphold his teachings. Their depiction in thangka painting embodies ideals of spiritual attainment, discipline, and wisdom.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 28 September 2022, lot 4
Estimate: USD 5,292 or approx. EUR 5,500 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A painting of the Arhat Ajita, Eastern Tibet, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the related subject, and manner of the painting and background. Note the smaller size (58.1 x 41.3 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 31 March 2005, lot 155
Estimate: USD 13,200 or approx. EUR 19,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A thangka set of four Arhats, Tibet, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the related subject, and manner of the painting and background. Note the smaller size (57.4 x 42 cm) and it comprises two thangkas.
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