This thangka depicts Songtsen Gampo in his palace flanked by his
Chinese wife on his left and his Nepalese wife on the right with a large assortment of offerings laid out in front of him.
Credited with consolidating the Buddhist faith in Tibet and building the Jokhang temple in Lhasa, Tibet's first great religious king, Songtsen Gampo, lived during the seventh century AD (627 - 649). He took two wives both p ...click for details
The ringga is backed with red leather. Each individual piece measures 5 by 7.5 inches. Spread open as if for framing the ringga measures 22 by 11.5 inches.
Instantly recognized but in a script practically unknown to all, this
print block depicts the all-powerful ten syllables of the Kalachakra
manta in characters derived from the Lantsa script. Because it is a
print block the image is reversed so that what faces left will appear
on the right.
We've taken photos under several different lighting conditions
so as to highlight the definition of ...click for details
Carpets with the double dorje were exclusively used by the monasteries.
With all natural colors this rare Wangden carpet likely dates to the
nineteenth century. It measures 35 x 39 inches.
For a comprehensive description of the iconography and meaning of the bell and vajra we refer you to the excellent "Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs" by Robert Beer.
The set shown here is of the closed five pronged variety with all the iconography described so exactingly by Mr. Beer. The bell is four inches in diameter and seven inches high; the
vajra measures 4-3/4 inches in length. There is a ti ...click for details
With the Newaris of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal it was customary for the donors of a statue to a temple to have a small statue of themselves cast to be put beside it. These were called donor figure statues.
In these donor statues the male is always to the left of the female. He kneels while she sits cross-legged. They are always portrayed with their hands held together in the gesture of devotion. This male donor cl ...click for details
The central figure in this thangka bears a striking similarity of one identified as the fourth Panchen Lama, Lobsang Tenpay Nyima (1782-1853) [Rhie and Thurman, “The Sacred Art of Tibet”, page 275-275]. In both thangkas the focus is on the lama wearing the characteristic yellow hat of the Geluk Order dressed in several layers of clothing with his right hand in the teaching gesture (vitarkamudra) and cradling a manuscript in his left hand. He sits on an elaborate throne chair with dragon handle ...click for details
This carved bone image of a fearsome Mahakala originates in Tibet. It is possibly from a necromancer's apron, though it is freestanding and lacks the top holes one would expect. It does have two drilled holes which are drilled so as to come through the mouth.
It measures just over 2-1/2 inches high (6.5 cm.) and forms under a 45 degree angle at the base. It is in excellent condition. Without scientific testing it ...click for details
This finely woven seating carpet contains five full medallions and several partial ones. A rich indego ground complements the several natural colors used in the medallions.
Dimensions are 26 x 22 inches (66 x 56 cm). The carpet is in good condition with no reweaving.
