A THANGKA OF DHRITARASHTRA, QING DYNASTY Sino-Tibetan, 19^th century. Distemper on linen. The leader of the Gandharva and Guardian King of the Eastern direction is depicted seated in lalitasana on a tiger skin whilst playing a lute set with a phoenix head, adorned with an elaborate helmet and multicolored celestial scarves. Behind him ruyi shaped clouds; Buddhist emblems and jewels in the foreground.

Provenance: From a private collection in Belgium.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear, creasing, soiling, and few minuscule losses.

Dimensions: Image size 106 x 82 cm, Size of frame 127 x 103 cm

Matted and framed behind glass.

As the leader of the heavenly musicians (gandharva), Dhritarashtra is often depicted playing a stringed instrument, such as a vina or pipa. Here, he wears a helmet adorned with feathered plumes and elaborate armor covered in richly patterned silks, following the Chinese style.

Auction result comparison: Compare a closely related thangka of Dhritarashtra, of smaller size, at Bonhams London in Asian Art on 14 May 2019, lot 656, sold for GBP 7,812.


清代持國天王唐卡
漢藏，十九世紀。麻布膠畫。這位甘達瓦的領袖和東方的守護王，身色皆為白色，手持帶有鳳凰頭的琵琶，成游戲姿坐在虎皮上，戴著威嚴的頭盔，身披盔甲。身前鋪著佛教吉祥法器，身後如意祥雲圍繞。

來源：比利時私人收藏。
品相：狀況良好，磨損、摺痕、污漬和極少的細微小缺損。

尺寸： 畫面106 x 82 厘米, 框127 x 103 厘米

裝於玻璃后。

拍賣結果比較：比較一件十分相近的持國天王唐卡，小尺寸，見倫敦邦翰思Asian Art 2019年5月14日 lot 656, 售價GBP 7,812。