Lot 684

19th C. Tibetan Yamantaka Thangka, Silk Brocade Mount

Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 684
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4
19th C. Tibetan Yamantaka Thangka, Silk Brocade Mount
19th C. Tibetan Yamantaka Thangka, Silk Brocade Mount
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4

19th C. Tibetan Yamantaka Thangka, Silk Brocade Mount

Estimate: $2,200 - $3,300

Starting Bid: $950

(0 Bids)
by Artemis Fine Arts
July 30, 2026 8:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 19th century CE. A large and vibrantly painted thangka depicting Yamantaka, the wrathful manifestation of Manjushri, surrounded by a halo of flames and encircled by numerous deities and attendants. The central figure is rendered with multiple heads, arms, and legs, trampling upon prostrate figures symbolic of vanquished ignorance, while adorned in elaborate jewelry and crowned with a garland of skulls. Painted in rich tones of orange, blue, green, and gold highlights - the composition radiates dynamic energy and spiritual potency, with carefully detailed smaller figures of lamas and deities in registers above and around the scene. Set within a modern silk brocade mount of yellow and purple floral-patterned fabric, the thangka displays auspicious Buddhist motifs that reinforce its ritual function as an object of meditation and protection. Size of textile: 59" L x 36" W (149.9 cm x 91.4 cm); painting: 43.5" L x 28" W (110.5 cm x 71.1 cm); gold quality: 23%

On the verso of this thangka are ritual inscriptions and seals applied during its consecration ceremony. At the four cardinal points are protective seed-syllables, while at the center appears the classic three-syllable formula "Om Ah Hum" rendered in a blocky, stylized Tibetan script with circular marks. This mantra embodies the enlightened body (Om), speech (Ah), and mind (Hum) of the Buddha and is the standard empowerment formula used to ritually "animate" sacred images. Beneath the central mantra are circular seal impressions in red and black ink, representing monastic or workshop insignia used to sanctify the thangka. Together, the inscriptions and seals mark the work as ritually empowered, ensuring it could serve not only as a painting but also as a living object of devotion and meditation.

Provenance: ex-P.T. collection, Queens, New York, USA

SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).

PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.

Item # 197519

  • Condition: Painting is set in modern brocade and attached to a modern wood rod with staples and a simple plastic cord is attached to the rod for suspension. The rod and cord can easily be replaced to be more secure. Creasing and folds to the painting, with losses to pigments along these creases as expected with storage. Some fading to pigments, but motifs are discernable and very detailed. Silk brocade cloth has some fraying to the hem edges and a few pulled threads, but otherwise stable and vibrant. Staining and discoloration to the verso, but mantras are clear and discernable.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Bidder Can Make Shipping Arrangements, Local Pick-Up, In-House Shipping

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$1 - $249,999:
35.00%
$250,000+:
35.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000