Sino-Tibetan, ca. 18th to early 19th century CE. The Tibetan word THANG KA literally translates as 'recorded message'.  Indeed thangkas have traditionally been created to communicate a message to the Buddhist practitioner, serving as an aid to teaching and as an aid to meditation through the visualization of the deity. It is a medium through which Buddhist philosophy can be explained.  Originally lamas and monks used scroll paintings to instruct the Buddhist Dharma (teachings). These paintings were easily transported and unrolled which was ideal for this primarily nomadic population.  On a more spiritual level, Thangka paintings are the visual expression of the fully awakened state of enlightenment, this being the ultimate goal of the Buddhist spiritual path. It is for this reason that a thangka is sometimes called 'the roadmap to enlightenment'. This example features a painting of a mandala in hues of red, blue, green, gold, black, and beige on a blue ground that is set upon a scroll comprised of brown silk with tone on tone lotus flower motif.  In the center is a bodhisattva with many limbs and heads.  Eastern religions such as Buddhism, that believe in the reincarnation of the soul into a new body on this Earth, often depict their deities with many heads and many arms. Surrounding the central image of the bodhisattva are eight petals of a lotus flower, each sheltering a Buddha or bodhisattva.  These eight petals correspond to the Noble Eightfold Path of the Good Law.  Thangka paintings such as this require immense skill. To sketch the figures in a thangka the painter needs an exact knowledge of the measurements and proportions of each deity as established by Buddhist iconography and artistic practice.  An awe-inspiring example.  Mounted on linen ground and professionally framed. Size:  38-3/4" x 26" in frame; Thangka alone measures 29" x 18-3/4".

Provenance: Ex-Sarkisian Gallery, Denver, CO.

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#95167

Minor wear to painting.  Overall excellent.