PRINTPROVENANCE:
Christie's, Paris
Christie's, Paris
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648
A TIBETAN COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF THANGTONG GYALPO
17th-18th Century |
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H: 20.5 cm |
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Estimate
650,000 - 850,000 20,700 - 27,100 160,000 - 210,000
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Sold Price 780,000
24,383
189,320
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Catalogue Note
Thangtong Gyalpo, also known as Chakzampa, the Iron Chain Maker and the “King of the Empty Plain”. He was also known by a variation of this name, “Madman of the Empty Valley”. He was a great Buddhist adept, a Chod master, yogi, physician, blacksmith, architect, and a pioneering civil engineer. He is considered a mind emanation of Padmasambhava and a reincarnation of Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen. He founded the Iron Chain lineage of the Shangpa Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, and he recognized the first Samding Dorje Phagmo, Chokyi Dronma (1422–1455), the female incarnation lineage of Vajravarahi.
Thangtong Gyalpo is said to have built 58 iron chain suspension bridges around Tibet and Bhutan, several of which are still in use today. He also designed and built several large stupas of unusual design including the great Kumbum at Chung Riwoche, Tibet; established Gonchen Monastery in Derge; and is considered to be the father of a style of Tibetan opera called Lhamo. Associated with the Shangpa Kagyu, Nyingma and Sakya traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, and with the tradition of mad yogis known as nyonpa, Thangtong Gyalpo is also known as a sorcerer character in the popular Tibetan story of Gesar. In addition, he is believed to be the most widely traveled person in Tibetan history.
This Figure shows Thangtong Gyalpo in a classical form of his as an old yogi, baring his upper body except for the yoga sole, seated on a single lotus throne, both hands holding a midana-kumba, which shows his divinity of blessing longevity. The face is powered gold, brows, eyes and lips painted with colors, and hair white. The duo-oval-shaped petal of the lotus throne appeared earliest in north Indian district, which is mimicked by the later generations, especially those of the east Tibet. This figure of Thangtong Gyalpo is made of copper alloy with the cot showing a tender brown color after hundreds of years of history. The figure is perfectly proportional with a vivid design, making it an exceptional addition to Buddhism arts collection.
Thangtong Gyalpo is said to have built 58 iron chain suspension bridges around Tibet and Bhutan, several of which are still in use today. He also designed and built several large stupas of unusual design including the great Kumbum at Chung Riwoche, Tibet; established Gonchen Monastery in Derge; and is considered to be the father of a style of Tibetan opera called Lhamo. Associated with the Shangpa Kagyu, Nyingma and Sakya traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, and with the tradition of mad yogis known as nyonpa, Thangtong Gyalpo is also known as a sorcerer character in the popular Tibetan story of Gesar. In addition, he is believed to be the most widely traveled person in Tibetan history.
This Figure shows Thangtong Gyalpo in a classical form of his as an old yogi, baring his upper body except for the yoga sole, seated on a single lotus throne, both hands holding a midana-kumba, which shows his divinity of blessing longevity. The face is powered gold, brows, eyes and lips painted with colors, and hair white. The duo-oval-shaped petal of the lotus throne appeared earliest in north Indian district, which is mimicked by the later generations, especially those of the east Tibet. This figure of Thangtong Gyalpo is made of copper alloy with the cot showing a tender brown color after hundreds of years of history. The figure is perfectly proportional with a vivid design, making it an exceptional addition to Buddhism arts collection.