THANGKA DEPICTING PEHAR
QING DYNASTY, 18TH-19TH CENTURY
Auction: 17 May 2024 from 10:00 BST
Description
清 白哈爾王唐卡
the protector deity depicted in the centre riding a horse above a flaming charnel ground amidst firing scrolls, before him with ferocious animals fighting for corps in front of offerings, on top with a stupa and two deities
Dimensions
55cm x 42cm; 112cm x 71cm with mount
Footnote
Pehar is the worldly protector deity of the Nyingma school's Treasure teachings (Terma). Appearing in five different forms each symbolizing aspects of body, speech, mind, quality, and activity. The red-bodied Pehar valiantly gallops on a black stallion, holding a danda staff and a kapala skull cup, not conforming to regular iconography of Five Pehar Gyalpo Kunga (Kings). Compare to a related red Pehar, also holds a kapala but with a vajra, late 17th century, in Minneapolis Institute of Art, accession no. 2001.77.