Antique Buddhist Thangka Textile

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Unusual antique Buddhist Thangka* depicting Shakyamuni Buddha and his heavenly world, gouache on cotton canvas, mounted with handwoven silk brocade … Read more Unusual antique Buddhist Thangka* depicting Shakyamuni Buddha and his heavenly world, gouache on cotton canvas, mounted with handwoven silk brocade border, an inscription on the backing, Nepal, 19th century, in overall good condition with minor color losses and creases, private Upper East Side collection
22 x 34 in. (56 x 86.5 cm) painting only, 37 x 58 1/2 in. (94 x 148.5 cm) with mounting

Thangka- Traditionally, thangka paintings are not only valued for their aesthetic beauty, but primarily for their use as aids in meditational practices. Practitioners use thangkas to develop a clear visualization of a particular deity, strengthening their concentration, and forging a link between themselves and the deity. Historically, thangkas were also used as teaching tools to convey the lives of various masters. A teacher or lama would travel around giving talks on dharma, carrying with him large thangka scrolls to illustrate his stories.
The sacred art of thangka painting dates back to the 7th century. Originating in Nepal, it evolved into several schools of painting. The deities shown in thangka paintings are usually depictions of visions that appeared to great spiritual masters at moments of realization, which were then recorded and incorporated into Buddhist scripture. The proportions are considered sacred as not only are they exact representations of Buddhist deities, but also the visual expression of spiritual realizations that occurred at the time of a vision. Thangka painting is thus a two-dimensional medium illustrating a multi-dimensional spiritual reality. Practitioners use thangkas as a sort of road map to guide them to the original insight of the master. This map must be accurate and it is the responsibility of the artist to make sure it is so in order for a thangka to be considered genuine, or to be useful as a support for Buddhist practice, guiding one to the proper place.
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