Distemper and gold on cloth. Seated in dhyanasana on a lotus base, the deity’s hands holding a vajra and ghanta at the chest, clad in heavy patchwork robes and flanked by blue lotus blossoms at the shoulders supporting the sword and book, the face with a serene expression surmounted by a pointed cap and backed by a nimbus, framed by numerous scenes from Tsongkhapa’s life story with detailed identifying inscriptions.
Provenance: A private collection in Germany and thence by descent. Inscribed to the back, ‘WEIR/4B’.
Condition: Good condition with wear, creasing, minor soiling, small losses, few tears and minor fraying to edges, minor flaking to pigment. The colors are particularly fresh and crisp, the piece is thus presenting exceptionally well.
Dimensions: Image size 68.8 x 45.8 cm, Size incl. frame 72 x 51 cm
The founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), appears at the center of the composition surrounded by vignettes from his life story with minuscule and neatly painted identifying inscriptions. This thangka comes from a series of 15 thangkas telling the story of Tsongkhapa’s life.
The standard set of paintings depicting the life story of Tsongkhapa, designed in the early 18th century by Jamyang Shepa (1648-1721/22), has fifteen individual compositions. Typically hung in the grand hall of monasteries, they illustrate how, throughout his previous lives, Tsongkhapa, the 15th century saint and scholar of Tibet, cultivated the Path leading to Enlightenment and how his spiritual progression was attested by prophecies of all the Buddhas of the past. When this group of fifteen thangkas is hung, the first thangka traditionally occupies the central place. For further information, see Francoise Wang, Dje Tsongkhapa, 2002.
The present thangka is the sixth in the series of fifteen, showing various places where Tsongkhapa taught, wrote, or received teachings from other masters, presently identified as:
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams London, 11 May 2017, lot 20
Price: GBP 20,000 or approx. EUR 33,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A thangka of Tsongkhapa, Tibet, 19th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and manner of painting with a similar rendition of surrounding vignettes from his life story with identifying inscriptions. Note the size (68 x 45 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 19 March 2014, lot 79
Price: USD 21,250 or approx. EUR 26,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A thangka depicting Tsongkhapa
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and manner of painting, with a similar rendition of surrounding vignettes from his life story with identifying inscriptions, albeit overall with slightly more gilt than on the present lot. Note the size (54.6 x 46 cm).
Distemper and gold on cloth. Seated in dhyanasana on a lotus base, the deity’s hands holding a vajra and ghanta at the chest, clad in heavy patchwork robes and flanked by blue lotus blossoms at the shoulders supporting the sword and book, the face with a serene expression surmounted by a pointed cap and backed by a nimbus, framed by numerous scenes from Tsongkhapa’s life story with detailed identifying inscriptions.
Provenance: A private collection in Germany and thence by descent. Inscribed to the back, ‘WEIR/4B’.
Condition: Good condition with wear, creasing, minor soiling, small losses, few tears and minor fraying to edges, minor flaking to pigment. The colors are particularly fresh and crisp, the piece is thus presenting exceptionally well.
Dimensions: Image size 68.8 x 45.8 cm, Size incl. frame 72 x 51 cm
The founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), appears at the center of the composition surrounded by vignettes from his life story with minuscule and neatly painted identifying inscriptions. This thangka comes from a series of 15 thangkas telling the story of Tsongkhapa’s life.
The standard set of paintings depicting the life story of Tsongkhapa, designed in the early 18th century by Jamyang Shepa (1648-1721/22), has fifteen individual compositions. Typically hung in the grand hall of monasteries, they illustrate how, throughout his previous lives, Tsongkhapa, the 15th century saint and scholar of Tibet, cultivated the Path leading to Enlightenment and how his spiritual progression was attested by prophecies of all the Buddhas of the past. When this group of fifteen thangkas is hung, the first thangka traditionally occupies the central place. For further information, see Francoise Wang, Dje Tsongkhapa, 2002.
The present thangka is the sixth in the series of fifteen, showing various places where Tsongkhapa taught, wrote, or received teachings from other masters, presently identified as:
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams London, 11 May 2017, lot 20
Price: GBP 20,000 or approx. EUR 33,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A thangka of Tsongkhapa, Tibet, 19th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and manner of painting with a similar rendition of surrounding vignettes from his life story with identifying inscriptions. Note the size (68 x 45 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 19 March 2014, lot 79
Price: USD 21,250 or approx. EUR 26,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A thangka depicting Tsongkhapa
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and manner of painting, with a similar rendition of surrounding vignettes from his life story with identifying inscriptions, albeit overall with slightly more gilt than on the present lot. Note the size (54.6 x 46 cm).
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Auction: TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism, 17th Oct, 2024
Galerie Zacke is thrilled to present a two-day live auction event showcasing 700 works of art from China, Southeast Asia, India, and beyond.
The flagship auction will take place on Day 1 of the sale (lots 1-278) and features an inspired selection of impressive pieces from notable collections. Highlights include an important white marble torso of Buddha Maitreya from the Tang dynasty (lot 38), a magnificent pair of Imperial zitan ‘elephant’ stands likely originating from the Forbidden City or Summer Palace (lot 89), and an extremely rare gold rain drum from the ancient kingdoms of Cham (lot 238).
The general auction will follow on Day 2 (lots 279-700), offering opportunities for both seasoned collectors and new bidders.
Museum Deaccessions include the Wou Lien-Pai Museum and the Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum.
Notable Collector’s Provenances include Sir Elton John; Kartika Soekarno-Seegers, the daughter of Sokarno; His Exalted Highness, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan (1886-1967); and Xu Yingkui (1830-1903), Viceroy of Min-Zhe, Guangzhou, China; as well as many prestigious names such as Alan and Simone Hartman, Onno Janssens, Dr. Johan Carl Kempe, Nellie and Basil Ionides, David Taylor, and Captain William Alexander ‘Bill’ Palmer CBE DL.
Historic Gallery and Dealership Provenances include Jules Speelman, Sam Bernstein, Jacques Barrère, Michael Goedhuis, Leonardo Vigorelli, Sydney L. Moss Ltd, Ralph M. Chait Galleries, Robert Kleiner, Roger Keverne Ltd, and Spink & Son.
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