Museum-Quality 18th Century Tibetan Thangka Painting of Buddha Shakyamuni

From a private collection, this is a Tibetan Thangka of exceptional quality and profound spiritual narrative. More than a painting, it is a complete visual scripture, a "Refuge Tree" that maps the very transmission of enlightenment from its source. It is a rare and authentic artifact, deeply rooted in the artistic and devotional traditions of classical Tibet.

The Central Story: The Moment of Enlightenment

At the heart of the composition sits the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, captured at the climactic moment under the Bodhi tree. His form is rendered with serene, iconometric precision, following the sacred proportions prescribed in Buddhist texts. His right hand performs the bhumisparsha mudra — the "earth-touching gesture" — calling the world itself to bear witness to his victory over all illusion. His left hand rests in the dhyana mudra of perfect meditative equipoise. This is not merely a portrait; it is a depiction of the very birth of Buddhism.   

A Celestial Assembly: The Golden Chain of Lineage

Radiating from the Buddha on clouds of glory are thirty-four distinct figures, each a specific, identifiable master from a revered spiritual lineage. They are the lamas, yogis, and scholars who formed the "golden chain" of teaching, the spiritual ancestors who carried the Buddha's wisdom from one generation to the next. To gaze upon this Thangka is to see the entire spiritual family of a great tradition, a visual map of an unbroken line of wisdom.   

The Expert's View: Artistry and Authenticity

The artistry is a testament to a master's hand, characteristic of the great Central Tibetan painting schools of the 18th century, which perfected the foundational Indo-Nepalese style. The palette is not made of modern acrylics; it is composed of hand-ground, precious mineral pigments: deep, celestial blues from azurite, vibrant greens from malachite, and rich reds from cinnabar. The extensive, intricate linework that details the robes and halos is rendered in genuine gold, which glows with a subtle, warm lustre that metallic paint can never replicate. This use of precious materials was, in itself, an act of profound devotion.   

The Object's Journey: A Mark of History

This Thangka is not a sterile, modern reproduction. It has lived. It was created as a sacred object, a tool for meditation and teaching. It has been an object of veneration, likely displayed on a monastery wall or a private home altar, absorbing the atmosphere of centuries of practice.   

The subtle, historical watermark visible on the canvas is not a flaw but a testament to its authentic journey. This patina is the very evidence of its age and traditional, water-soluble materials, clearly distinguishing a true, consecrated antique from a modern tourist piece.   

Curation

As seen in the photographs, the painting has been professionally conserved and housed in a museum-quality, dark-wood frame with a wide, archival-quality acid-free mat and AR70 anti-glare, UV-resistant glass. This thoughtful, contemporary presentation respects the object's sacred history while making it a stunning, ready-to-display centrepiece for a modern collector, designer, or practitioner.

This is a rare confluence of master-level artistry, profound spiritual importance, and documented authenticity.

Origin: Central Tibet. Circa 18th-Early 19th Century
Materials: Hand-ground mineral pigments, genuine gold, and distemper on cotton canvas. Presented in a contemporary, archival-quality dark wood frame.

Dimensions:

Frame: W.64 x H.94cm

Painting: W.47 x H75cm