Tangka painting
Tangka
18th century (made)
18th century (made)
| Place of origin |
Tangka temple painting showing in the middle the well known Apostle (Tib. Gnas.brtan) of Sakyamuni Buddha, Subhuti (Rab.byor) preaching to those inveterate enemies, the Nagas and the Garudas, whom he reconciled at last. He was born at Sravasti (Sahet Mahet), N.W.Provinces of India and had himself been a Naga in a former life. He was consecrated by Buddha's spiritual power, became an Arhat, his hair and beard were miraculously shaved and a holy mendicants's robe was thrown over his person. When the Prajna-Paramita was delivered by the Buddha on the Gridhrakuta Parvata, Subhuti served him as chief catechist. The gods of the Four Quarters, who brought the sea by their magic to Subhuti's feet, are seen in the lower left corner. Above, Subhuti is being received by the Buddha, and he is seen again to the right seated in a rocky cave. On the left is Maudgalyayana seated on a lotus, and turned in reverence towards the Buddha.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Title | Tangka painting |
| Materials and techniques | Painted in temera colours and gold on a prepared cotton ground. The triple mount is of red, yellow and deep blue silk brocade of Chinse make. |
| Brief description | Subhuti (Rab.'byor), Apostle of Sakyamuni; Religion, Shigatse Tibet, C17 |
| Physical description | Tangka temple painting showing in the middle the well known Apostle (Tib. Gnas.brtan) of Sakyamuni Buddha, Subhuti (Rab.byor) preaching to those inveterate enemies, the Nagas and the Garudas, whom he reconciled at last. He was born at Sravasti (Sahet Mahet), N.W.Provinces of India and had himself been a Naga in a former life. He was consecrated by Buddha's spiritual power, became an Arhat, his hair and beard were miraculously shaved and a holy mendicants's robe was thrown over his person. When the Prajna-Paramita was delivered by the Buddha on the Gridhrakuta Parvata, Subhuti served him as chief catechist. The gods of the Four Quarters, who brought the sea by their magic to Subhuti's feet, are seen in the lower left corner. Above, Subhuti is being received by the Buddha, and he is seen again to the right seated in a rocky cave. On the left is Maudgalyayana seated on a lotus, and turned in reverence towards the Buddha. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Purchased from Mrs C. Fraser |
| Object history | Note in the acquisition register, "One of a series of 14 t'ankas based on wood blocks cut at sNar t'an monastery near Tashilunpo. The first 12 (of which this is one) were cut between 1737 and 1780." Purchased from Mrs C. Fraser, Reston Lodge, Wellington Road, Bournemouth. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project. RP 1911-1120M |
| Production | Tashilhunpo monastery, Shigatse |
| Bibliographic reference | Tucci, G: Tibetan Painted Scrolls, vol II, pp 410-414, and fig.90
see Vol 1, p119, Berlin Kgl Museum, Ethnologische Abthei. no 57
Musee Guimet: l'Art Tibetan, pp.73-75 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.33-1911 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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