Tibetan or Mongolian Thangka of a Bodhisattva

This thangka of distemper on cloth shows a bodhisattva, probably Avalokitesvara, standing on a large lotus bloom. The deity holds a golden water pot in one hand and a golden mirror in the other, ample jewellery, all finely rendered in gold, and has a golden crown and high chignon. A green halo and a large radiating blue aureole frame the bodhisattva.

The bodhisattva is flanked by historical Buddhist personages seated on clouds, above and on the sides, and other deities below.

The scheme is Tibetan, but several aspects suggest a Mongolian provenance – the ample and carefully observed golden jewellery is often seen in Mongolian works, and the multiple tresses of long hair over the shoulders and falling down the front is a particularly Mongolian confection. Chinese influence is also suggested.

A water pot and a golden mirror are attributes associated with Avalokitesvara. However, other attributes are missing. The bodhisattva Maitreya also is depicted with a water pot from time to time.

Distemper is a traditional, water-based wall finish made from chalk, lime, and colour pigments bound with animal glue or casein. Probably most thangkas with age that come onto the market these days are restored, often heavily. It is the nature of distemper on cotton fabric – it simply is barely possible to come across perfectly preserved, old thangkas. This means that those in perfect condition almost certainly must have been restored whether this has been declared or not. The example here is without any restoration; it is in its original state.

The thangka currently is attached to a board onto which old silk borders have been attached.