Antique 19th Century Tibetan Thangka Depicting Vajrabhairava (Yamantaka)

Details

Description

A finely executed 19th-century Tibetan thangka depicting Vajrabhairava (Yamantaka), the wrathful tantric manifestation of Mañjuśrī revered as the conqueror of … Read more A finely executed 19th-century Tibetan thangka depicting Vajrabhairava (Yamantaka), the wrathful tantric manifestation of Mañjuśrī revered as the conqueror of death and ignorance. The deity is masterfully rendered in gold and polychrome pigments on a black-ground textile, a striking palette traditionally reserved for powerful protective and esoteric Buddhist imagery. The composition is enclosed within a red silk border and is presented in a custom frame.

The painting bears an inscription in Classical Tibetan (Uchen script) beneath the central composition, likely comprising a devotional or liturgical text associated with the deity. Although a complete scholarly translation has not yet been undertaken, the presence of this inscription reflects the thangka’s religious function and traditional Tibetan workshop practice.

Provenance
Private Collection of Jared M. Kramer, Cartersville, Georgia. Acquired through A & O Auction Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia, a respected regional auction house specializing in fine art, Asian art, and important estate collections.

Dimensions
Painting: 18.5 in. H × 15 in. W
Frame: 26 in. H × 23 in. W × 2 in. D

Condition
Presented in a custom frame. Minor wear and expected fraying to the textile edges consistent with age. Small tears along the upper edge have been professionally stabilized during mounting. Minor superficial abrasion to the upper right corner. Overall, the painting presents well and retains its richly detailed gold linework and pigments. Minor scuffs and dents to frame. See less