MONGOLIAN COLLECTABLES

MONGOLIAN COLLECTABLES

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Very Precious 19th Century Applique thangka of the goddess Ushnishavijaya - "Victorious Queen of Crowning Light". W131

Dimensions: Approximately 18 in (45.5 cm) W X 30.5 inches ( 77.5 cm) H

Appliqué itself is 10 inches (25.7 cm) W X 13.25 in (33.5 cm ) H

Price: --

Shipping Price: To be discussed later with buyer

Item Number:W131

This is an extremely rare 19th century silk appliqué thangka with fine silver and golden wire highlights. It depicts Ushnishavijaya - the "Victorious Queen of Crowning Light". In Mongolian Buddhist iconography, the Dharani goddess (or female bodhisattva) Ushnishavijaya is often shown in a triumvirate with the other two principal long-life deities, red (male) Amitayus and White Tara. Ushnishavijaya is a peaceful white deity and an emanation of Vairochana Buddha. She has three faces, ten eyes and eight hands. Her right hands hold a lasso, bow, and vase with the nectar of immortality; her fourth right hand bears an eye in the palm and is in the mudra (posture) of generosity. Her left hands hold a miniature Buddha image, a double (crossed) vajra, and an arrow; the fourth left hand is held in meditation posture in her lap. Ushnishavijaya is frequently invoked in Mongolia and Tibet - especially in practices to avert death from natural causes such as disease and old age as well as untimely accident. As such, her primary role is to bestow long life and grant an auspicious afterlife destiny in one of the favorable realms of rebirth or in a Buddha-paradise. Her presence is invoked by the recitation of mantra (or dharani) - a series of syllables that may be recited as prayer, meditative aid or ritual formula - its intonation is likened to a magical key whose vibrational force connects directly with the goddess's realm. Her practice works by purifying the meditator's mind and body of negative karmic conditions. Altogether, this thangka is in splendid condition commensurate with age and devotional usage. There are no losses to the appliqué and metal thread embroidery and of particular note is the complex detailing and remarkable visual spectrum of silk brocade used to create this tantric masterpiece. The deity sits upon the moon disc of wisdom and is surrounded by striking golden-yellow, green and aubergine halos set against a turquoise blue field. The central deity sits upon a bi-lobed lotus throne flanked by embroidered Moon and Sun motifs. The mounting of this thangka is a beautiful deep brown silk brocade.

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