A PAINTING OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI AND THE SIXTEEN ARHATS

TIBET, 18TH CENTURY

Details

A PAINTING OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI AND THE SIXTEEN ARHATS
TIBET, 18TH CENTURY
With Buddha seated in bhumisparsha on a lotus over a lion throne at center, wearing richly brocaded red and orange robes and holding a vase of the immortal elixir in his lap, backed by a golden aureole and with an offering table before him, surrounded by attendants and the Sixteen Arhats and with protector deities below, each identified by an inscription in fine gold calligraphy, all set in a rich green landscape
28 x 20 ½ in. (71 x 52 cm.)

Literature

Himalayan Art Resource (himalayanart.org), item no. 23565

Brought to you by

Leiko Coyle

lcoyle@christies.com 212 636 2404

Lot Essay

The central figure of Buddha Shakyamuni is flanked by his two main disciples, Shariputra and Maudgalyaya, standing on either side of his lotus throne. Directly above his aureole is Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi, and at top center is Tsongkhapa flanked by Jetsun Lobzang Gyaltsen Sengge (1678-1756) on the left and Konchog Chopal on the right. Before the lotus throne is Shadbhuja Mahakala flanked by Hvashang and Dharmatala, and at bottom center is Black Jhambala with the four protectors, Virudhaka and Dhrirarashtra at left and Virupaksha and Vaishravana at right. The remaining figures are the Sixteen Arhats; for each identification, see Himalayan Art Resource.

More from Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Works of Art

View All