null
我們很高興為您提供上述拍品狀況報告。由於敝公司非專業修復人員，在此敦促您徵詢其他專業修復人員，以獲得更詳盡、專業之報告。

準買家應該檢查每件拍品以確認其狀況，蘇富比所作的任何陳述均為主觀看法而非事實陳述。雖然本狀況報告或有針對某拍品之討論，但所有拍賣品均根據印於圖錄內之業務規則以拍賣時狀況出售。

This important thangka depicts Kuyelwa (1191-1236) and Sangye Yarjon (1203-1272) the second and third abbots of Taklung monastery seated in discourse at the centre of the painting. The founder of the monastery Taklung Thangpa Chenpo (1142-1210), also known as Tashipel, is shown in a smaller image between and just above them. The upper register depicts their lineage with celestial progenitor Vajradhara to the left; the Indian yogin Tilopa (fl. late 10th-early 11th c); Tilopa’s Indian disciple Naropa (956-1040); his Tibetan disciple Marpa (1012-1096); Marpa’s disciple Milarepa (1040-1123); Milarepa’s chief disciple Gampopa (1079-1153) and Gampopa’s chief disciple Phagmotrupa (1110—1070) at the far right.

A similar painting in the Cleveland Museum of Art is almost certainly from the same series, fig 1, and depicts Phagmodrupa in discourse with the first abbot Taklung Thangpa Chenpo, see Steven M. Kossak and Jane Casey Singer, Sacred Visions: Early Paintings from Central Tibet, New York, 1998, p. 114, cat. no. 26.

The present painting depicting the second and third abbots thus follows the Cleveland painting in the series. No other paintings from the set have come to light thus far, but there is a possibility that others exist, or once existed, depicting succeeding abbots of the monastery, or ones earlier in the series depicting lineage masters. Although the lamas are not identified by inscription, they may be distinguished by the lineage before them. Phagmodrupa, with his distinctive moustache and bearded cheeks, appears at the end of the upper register, cf. these features with the Cleveland portrait. Phagmodrupa’s pupil Tashipel, shown between the two main figures, is also identifiable by distinctive features of moustache and three-pointed goatee, cf. ibid, p. 91, cat. no. 18. Tashipel’s student Kuyelwa, who was abbot 1191-1236 is therefore identifiable as next in line and seated on the left, with the third in line Sangye Yarjon, abbot 1210-1236, to his right, cf. three thangka depicting Kuyalwa and Sangye Yarjon with Tashipel above, in David P. Jackson, op. cit. figs. 4.5, 🐎4.6, 4.8.

Although verisimilitude was not a requirement in Tibetan portraiture, there is evidence that efforts were often made to preserve elements of hierarchs’ physiognomical features and other physical characteristics, even in portraits created long after their deaths. Distinctive shapes of beards and moustaches are more or less reliably consistent throughout the corpus of Taklung portraits, and aid identification of individual lamas. Inscriptions on the back of the painting contain vivifying mantras, the ye dharma and patience creeds, and om mani padme hum.

The painting, in common with the Cleveland example, is defined by a vibrant palette, and subtle shading giving dimension and animation throughout. The earliest date for the painting would be 1236 when Sangye Yarjon was enthroned as abbot, but it is not known if there are, or were, any more portraits in the series of succeeding abbots that would thus indicate a later d♎ate for the series.

A tentative date of circa 1300 is ascribed in comparison with other paintings of the period. 🦹The dating is corroborated by C-14 dating that produced a result of 1268+/-50 years with a probability of 85.3%.

On the verso of the current lot, there are lengthy inscriptions behind the two main figures. Both inscriptions present the Tibetan precept “Patience” verse, followed by the “Ye dharma” verse, also known as the Buddhist creed. It is also referred to as the Dependent Origination dharani.

The “Patience” verse is said to have been spoken by Buddha Vipashyin, and is cited in Buddhist vinaya literature. It may be translated as follows:

The holy ascetic practice of patience is the best path to Buddhahood, thus the Buddha has said. For a monk to harm others is not virtuous practice.

The Buddhist creed may be translated as follows:

Of those phenomena which arise from causes,
Those causes have been taught by the Tathagata [Buddha]
And their cessation too, thus proclaims the Great Ascetic.