Until 31st Mar, 2025
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A THANGKA OF TSONGKHAPA AND THE GELUGPA REFUGE TREE, 19TH CENTURY
Lot 38 - HS1224
Tibet. Gold and distemper on cloth. The thangka depicting the founding teacher of the Gelug Tradition, Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), seated at the top and holding an alms bowl, surrounded by an array of figures adorning a giant 'wish-granting gem tree', the lower register depicting the gnarly trunk, flanked by bodhisattvas, the left corner depict some of the Seven Necessities of a World Ruler (Charkravartin), the war elephant, valiant steed, and the Great Wheel of the Dharma.
Inscriptions: To the reverse, ‘om ah hum’.
Provenance: From an old Croatian private collection.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, little creasing, and few minor touchups.
Dimensions: Size 89.5 x 66.6 cm
The tree rises from a deep blue sea. On the banks at the lower right is a lama worshipping the deities above and holding up an offering. The Four Heavenly Kings stand on rocky platforms beneath the tree. The lowest level of branches depicts the fierce protectors, the rows above with the 16 Arhats, bodhisattvas, and the Thirty-Five Buddhas of Confession. On separate clouds are the masters of the Wisdom lineage and the Method lineage respectively.
The Gelugpa refuge tree is considered to be a combination of the tree that the Shakyamuni Buddha miraculously grew from a toothpick at Shravasti, the tree of enlightenment, and the ancient tree of ancestral life. This representation was first expressed by the First Panchen Lama, Losang Chokyi Gyaltsen (1570-1662) in his famous poem 'Mentor Worship'.
Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) was the founder of the Yellow hat Gelug Order, considered a supreme authority on doctrines and texts. He is considered a manifestation of the bodhisattva of Wisdom, Manjushri.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams London, 11 May 2017, lot 19
Price: GBP 22,500 or approx. EUR 38,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A thangka of Tsongkhapa and the Gelugpa Refuge Tree, Tibet, 19th century
Expert remark: Compare the related subject. Note the smaller size (76.5 x 50 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams London, 11 May 2017, lot 24
Price: GBP 13,750 or approx. EUR 23,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A thangka of Tsongkhapa and the Gelugpa Refuge Tree, Tibet, 19th century
Expert remark: Compare the related subject. Note the smaller size (79.5 x 53.5 cm).
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