Tibetan Thangka Palden Lhamo, Buddhist Painting Late 19th / Early 20th Century.

A beautiful thangka featuring the highly prized Tibetan Buddhist subject of "Palden Lhamo", the only female Dharmapala among the Eight Guardians of the Law (Dharma).

It is painted in cameos of blues, greens and browns on canvas (probably linen) and framed with silk trimmings and a silk veil, all held in place by a high rod.

Thangkas on this deity are usually made in bright colors. Here, the opposite is true: the use of light monochrome tones is unusual for a thangka, and even more so for this Dharmapala. Palden Lhamo is a wrathful deity, usually depicted with deep blue skin and red hair to symbolize her wrathful nature.
Here, as is traditional iconography, she is depicted riding her white mule on a sea of blood, her red hair presented like flames to further reinforce her wrath. The mule has an eye on its left rump, where Palden Lhamo's enraged husband shot an arrow after she killed their son. She uses his skin as a saddle blanket: he is shown here upside down. She wears a crown with five skulls representing the five afflictions (anger, greed, pride, ignorance and jealousy) and possesses 3rd-eye illumination. In her right hand she holds a blood-filled kapala, in her left a khatvanga, and at her waist a crown of heads.
Through her self-sacrifice and determination to spread the word of Buddhist peace, this tutelary deity is worshipped by all in Tibet, and has become the great protector of Lhasa, the Panchen Lamas and the Dalai Lamas, among others.
The mantra "Om Ah Houng" is inscribed on the back of this thangka, symbolizing body, speech and mind, as well as peace, healing and transformation.

Condition: very good. THE PICTURES ARE PART OF THE DESCRIPTION. For other photos, please contact me.

Period: late 19th, early 20th century.
Signature: Unsigned.
Dimensions of subject : W 38 cm - H 54 cm. Overall dimensions: W 50cm - H 77 cm.

For information: the price indicated is without shipping.
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