CENTRAL TIBET, TSANG PROVINCE, SAKYA MONASTERY, 19TH CENTURY

A skull- and bones-adorned Vajrayogini stands on recumbent corpses splayed on a colorful lotus atop a mystical landscape, encircled by a cool pool of blue light filled with golden rays, and surrounded by a fantastical aureole of fire. She appears here in a form particular to the Sakya school known as Kechara or ‘Sky Wanderer’, passed down through the lineage of the mahasiddha Naropa. Two other manifestations of the powerful goddess, Maitri Kachod and Indra Kachod, appear in a rainbow sphere of light and in a firey aureole at her left and right. Chakrasamvara in union and Green Tara appear above them. At the top center is the primordial Buddha Vajradhara and just below is his unique manifestation for this practice, known as Vira Vajradharma. On either side of the primordial buddhas and below are lineage holders of this important Sakya practice. At bottom center are the protectors of these teachings, the Lords of the Charnel Ground, Yellow Jambhala and Black Jambhala. The lowermost register likely depicts the commissioners of this painting; an inscription on the verso, which reads “Dzamling” (‘dzam gling) suggests that this painting may have belonged to Dzamling Chegu Wangdu (1855–1919), the 38th Sakya throneholder.
Himalayan Art Resources, item no. 81541.