Four Mandala Vajravali Thangka

Object Details

• Patron

  Shakya Order Monks

• Description

  The central field with four mandalas, three with red, blue and yellow forms of Naro-dakini, the fourth with a blue unidentified deity, all surrounded by various emanations and other deities, placed within the squares, each of the four entrances flanked by a pair of makaras, the outer circle consisting of five-coloured lotus petals and a ring of fire, the centre with two debating monks, surrounded by four smaller ones, along the borders are depicted the eight cremation grounds, each with a mahasiddha surrounded by various scenes, the upper border depicts sixteen various gods, with a pair of dakinis at the outsides, the others in embrace with their female partner, the lower register with sixteen various coloured dakinis, all against a green scrolling background, the reverse with many mantras and short inscription with dedication to Naro-dakini and probably with the original light-green brocade mountings.

• Provenance

  1963

  William H. Wolff, 1963 [1]

  Makler Family Collection [2]

  From 1997

  Freer Gallery of Art, purchased at auction, Christie's, Amsterdam, November 19, 1997, lot no. 8 [3]

  Notes:

  [1] According to Curatorial Note 2 in the object record.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] See note 1.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Beyond the Legacy--Anniversary Acquisitions of the Freer Gallery of Art (October 11, 1998 to April 11, 1999)

• Previous custodian or owner

  William H. Wolff, Inc. (1906-1991)

  Christie's (Amsterdam)

• Origin

  Ngor Monastery, Tibet

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1400s

• Name

  Wolff, William H., Christie's (Amsterdam)

• Place

  Tibet, Ngor Monastery

• Topic

  Art, Symbolism, Vulture, Naropa, Lotus, Vajravali, South Asian and Himalayan Art, Animals, Mahasiddha, Dogs, Makara, Skull, Monk

• Culture

  Buddhists, Himalayan peoples, South Asians, Hindus

• Object Type

  Paintings