MONGOLIAN COLLECTABLES

This is an extremely fine 19th century silk appliqué thangka with silver and golden wire highlights. It depicts the Medicine Buddha (Otochi in Mongolian) whose specific task is to dispense spiritual medicine to devotees. He is depicted as blue in colour, and is shown with his right hand in gift-giving mudra proffering a sprig of the healing myrobalan plant and his left hand cradling a medicine bowl containing beneficial nuts and herbs. Medicine Buddha is frequently invoked in Mongolia and Tibet - especially in practices relating to healing and is the guiding Buddha for practitioners of Tibetan medicine (which is based on Indian Ayurvedic and Chinese medical systems and is still widely practiced in Mongolia). The Medicine Buddha sutra emphasises the healing value of visualizing Medicine Buddha and chanting both text and short mantra. Practitioners of Tibetan medicine take initiations to practice the sadhanas of Medicine Buddha. This thangka is in splendid condition with no losses to the appliqué and metal thread embroidery - of particular note are embroidered dharma wheels on the palm and on the soles of the Buddha's feet. The central meditation deity sits upon a moon disc of compassionate wisdom and is surrounded by a most striking golden-yellow halo set against a deep russet field. The central deity sits upon a delicate lotus throne and is flanked by embroidered Moon and Sun motifs. The mounting of this thangka is a beautiful rust-orange silk brocade. Altogether a harmonious palette of antique silk brocade.

If you would like to see more pictures, please don't hesitate to ask and I will send you a zip file full of them.