Tibetan Tangka, ca. 1750
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GUEST:
From what I've been able to tell, I think it's a Tibetan tangka that was obviously made in Tibet and in a monastery. And that's about all I think I know about it.
APPRAISER:
Well, you are absolutely right, it is tangka. And tangka basically means a scroll painting. These were originally rolled up and mounted with brocade. They had silk covers on them-- layer after layer. It's an image of the goddess of mercy.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
And the goddess of mercy once was so compassionate towards men, that all of a sudden her head split in order to be able to exhibit more compassion around the world.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
So that's the reason why you see all of those heads.
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
And the divinities that are at the bottom are the ones they refer to as the wrathful divinities. And even the wrathful part is more like dispelling ego than it is fearfulness or causing violence. And the parasol that's there that's sticking, you know, out of the side?
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
That's indicating the nobility of the cause.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
Compassion for men. And the way these things were constructed, they were originally done with like all geometric forms underneath. You know, various lines that were drawn.
GUEST:
Right, you can tell where it's kind of peeled away.
APPRAISER:
Exactly. And then they were painted like in a very, very specific order. And the last thing that was painted in were the eyes, and that actually dedicated the image.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
You know, and any Tibetan household would have had a number of these.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
And it's actually from Eastern Tibet. Did you have any idea how old it was?
GUEST:
No, the research I was able to do, they varied from, I don't know, 13th, 14th, 15th century. I have no idea.
APPRAISER:
Well, this one is actually 18th century. And probably the mid part of the 18th century, around 1750. And you can tell that because particularly this, you know, area of the clouds where they're that pinkish color?
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
That was very, very popular at that period of time.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
It's not in the greatest condition, but it's still a wonderful image. You know, really attractive. And it's worth about $3,000.
GUEST:
Wow.
APPRAISER:
This one here.
GUEST:
Great.
APPRAISER:
I heard your father didn't care for it much?
GUEST:
No, he... that's why I have it. He didn't care for it.
APPRAISER:
That's a tactful way to put it. Well, explain to him, it actually is a beautiful thought behind the image.
GUEST:
Well, great.
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