Ngawang Kunga Sonam Jamgon Ameshab Surrounded by His Previous Incarnations (Primary Title)
thanka (Object Name)
Unknown (Artist)
The production of thangkas with red grounds (known as marthang) began to flourish in Tibet in the second half of the 17th century. At the center of this early example sits Ngawang Kunga Sonam Jamgon Ameshab (b. 1597), an important lama (teacher)of Tibetan Buddhism’s Sakya Order. In 1620 Jamgon Ameshab became the twenty-seventh Sakya Trizin (throne holder) and led the order until his death in 1659. Here he makes a teaching gesture with his right hand and holds a book with the inscription “The profound path is here” in his left. Around him, in touches of landscape, are small images of his previous incarnations— Buddhist deities, protector figures, and spiritual masters—all labeled with tiny inscriptions. At the lower left sits the painting’s sponsor. This thangka is preserved in its traditional Chinese silk borders. The outer green fabric is repeatedly woven with the character for “longevity.” The shroud gathered above would have protected the painting between viewings, and for transport the whole scroll would have been rolled. The square section of orange silks at the bottom is sometimes described as a “door” through which the devotee, when viewing the thangka, passes into the consecrated realm.
Berthe and John Ford Collection, gift of the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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