Thangka depicting the Vajra Bhairava mandala, Tibet, 18th-19 - Lot 183

Thangka depicting the Vajra Bhairava mandala, Tibet, 18th-19th century Black and polychrome pigments on canvas with black textile frame. At the center of the mandala (here a two-dimensional circular diagram representing the top view of a celestial palace) is the Vajra Bhairava deity. This dark-blue deity has 9 faces, 34 hands holding various objects and 16 legs. Surrounding the central figures are eight pairs of Bhairavas, originally of different colors, each with several faces and hands. At the four "T"-shaped doors are four pairs of guardian figures, making a total of 13 deities in the mandala. The palace is surrounded by a rectangular circle of multicolored lotus petals, representing the enormous lotus on which the entire palace structure rests. At the top is Lama Tsongkapa surrounded by two disciples, while four wrathful deities adorn the lower part of the mandala: Yama Dharmaraja, Shadbhuja Mahakala, the guardian of the northern direction Vaishravana and Shri Devi (Magzor Gyalmo). 52.5 x 34 cm Wear and tear and the disappearance of pigments do not allow for a very precise reading of the work.