Country Group: The Himalayas (Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia and Other)

Item id: 8173

Antique Mongolian black ground Thangka. Beautiful and precise example in extremely clean condition. Examined before framing and does look to have age, though many of these sold as 19thC are really early (and even sometimes mid) 20th C. The ones in such clean condition typically spent their lives in large Gau boxes or behind glass. This one was on special thick black paper that was not made to roll up. The most important thing is that they were made for practice in the traditional way before exposure to the west, and not as a tourist item or decoration- with this piece there is no doubt it is a true tantric Thangka made for practice. Came from the collection of a well known dealer/appraiser in San Francisco who sometimes does work for US customs, and who has vetted a number of high end Asian antique shows for the Tibetan, Chinese, and Mongolian items for accuracy and authenticity. He purchased a large number of Mongolian items in the 1990's when Mongolia was first opening to the West. He claimed that he purchased this along with a group of fine Thangkas out of a small private Mongolian museum that was closing down. Inner dimensions: 12.5" x 18". Outer dimensions 20 3/8" x 26". This has been in my private collection for 15 years and is just being offered for sale for the first time. Expensively framed, with museum glass so that every detail shows clearly. This is as fine as they get.