Lot 262
THANGKA OF A TANTRIC DIAGRAM
BHUTAN, 19TH CENTURY
Auction: 9 May 2017 at 16:00 BST
Description
of horizontal form and divided into three panels, the chakra at the centre of the concentric diagram clasped by the Demon of Time and with nine magic squares each containing a number from one to nine written in Tibetan, the magic square and the inner citadel enclosed in an outer square composed of eight symbols and eight blocks of nine magic squares, the twelve animals of the zodiac alternating around the perimeter and radiating in four directions beyond, Lokeshvara seated at the upper left, with seven narrative scenes illustrated below, at the upper right forty eight images of saints and deities arranged in registers, each identified by an inscription in black text, in between the five panels of text twelve animals, a lama and five scenes of a sky burial ritual
Dimensions
104x40.5cm
Footnote
Note:
Astrological Charts were used by lamas in the prediction of the future life of a layman. Astrological readings were based on the date, time and the birth place, these being related to the Tibetan calendar and based on Tibetan Buddhism According to Tibetan practice, astrology, together with seasonal climate change, were also closely linked to the practice of medicine.