15th century | Project Himalayan Art

Sutra Covers with the Eight Buddhist Treasures

China Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Yongle period (1403–24)

Chakrasamvara with Consort

Many-armed, blue-skinned deity locked in embrace with orange-skinned deity holds animal pelt behind back

The Buddhist Deities Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi

Tibet (by a Newar artist) ca. 15th century

Two blue-skinned, many-armed deities holding implements, locked in embrace before fiery nimbus

Hevajra

Northern mural painting in Hevajra Chapel, middle floor, Gongkar Chode Monastery, Gongkar County, Lhokha, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1464–1476 Khyentse Chenmo (active 15th century)

Blue-skinned, many-armed, cow- and human-headed deity in dynamic pose before fiery nimbus

Vajrabhairava Solitary of Rwa Lotsawa Tradition

Western mural painting in Hevajra Chapel, middle floor, Gongkar Chode Monastery, Gongkar County, Lhokha, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1464–1476 Khyentse Chenmo (active 15th century)

Four Mandalas of the Vajravali Cycle

Ewam Choden Monastery, Tsang region, central Tibet 1429–1456

Three panels of paper bearing florid, sprawling illustrations outlined in red ink; eight figures in scrollwork roundels at top

Sketches of Floral Patterns and Mythological Creatures, pages from a sketchbook in a folding book (thyasaphu) format

Tibet (and Nepal?) 1435 Jivarama (active in 15th century)

Glazed, milky-white porcelain pitcher with crown-shaped rim; handle features ovoid thumb rest

Monk’s Cap Ewer (Sengmao ju)

Jingdezhen, China Yongle Period (1403–1424); collection of Shah Jahan where it was incised with date 1053 AH (or 1643–1644)

Rectangular ink-stained woodblock incised with dense text and image; lozenge-shaped handle at top

Woodblock for Printing Prayer Flags with Print

Himalayan region 15th–19th century

Photograph of faded image depicting deities painted on white material applied to face of craggy rock

Rock Painting (no longer extant)

Taktsang, Upper Paro Valley, western Bhutan ca. 14th–15th century

Painting on silk depicting seated Buddha flanked by attendants hovering above scene featuring three figures

Buddha Shakyamuni and Two Disciples

Tibet 15th century attributed to Menla Dondrub

Black and white photograph of sculpture depicting haloed Buddha wearing sheer tunic standing before full-body nimbus

Shakyamuni Donated by Dhandeva

Shantipura, Svayambhu, Kathmandu, Nepal 15th century

Dancing Ganapati

central Tibet ca. mid-15th century

Enlightened teacher holds implement in hands at chest; flanked by attendants and surrounded by portrait border

Portrait of Vanaratna (1384–1468)

central Tibet 15th century

Seated Buddha and attendants assembled in circle look upon beasts being slain by two figures

Detail of Morality Tale of Vidura from chapter 76 in the Wish-fulfilling Vine (Bodhisattvavadanakalpalata)

Southern mural painting of the original Main Assembly Hall, ground floor, Gongkar Chode Monastery, Gangto Village, Gongkar County, Lhokha, U region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1464–1476 Khyentse Chenmo (active 15th century)

View from below of upper body of monumental golden Buddha before densely wrought open nimbus

Statue of Seated Vairochana, East Temple, Level 5 (Bumpa) of the Gyantse Kumbum

Gyantse Kumbum, Tsang region, central Tibet (present-day TAR, China) ca. 1427–1440

Spiral Spiral

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