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Vajrapani
Embroidered Mount with Garuda — Anonymous, the Tenth Black Hat Karmapa

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Written by: Layla VolkovContributing Writer · Furniture & Decorative Arts
Asian Art · Catalogue no. 23916
Anonymous, the Tenth Black Hat Karmapa

Vajrapani Embroidered Mount with Garuda

StatusReference work · Not for sale
Held byCleveland Museum of Art
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The painting depicts the Buddhist protector who holds (<em>pani</em>) the thunder bolt (<em>vajra</em>) in his right hand. He kneels in reverence and holds his left hand in a gesture of salute. This unusual image appears to have been the vision of a Tibetan monastic patriarch known for creating his own inventive paintings and sculptures. <br><br>Sewn to the painting are Chinese damask borders and rare embroideries dating to the Chinese Yuan dynasty (1279–1368). They depict man-eagle figures known as Garuda, a form occasionally assumed by Vajrapani.

Artist / MakerAnonymous, the Tenth Black Hat Karmapa
Datepainting 1600s, embroidery c. 1300
Culture / OriginChina and Tibet, Embroidery: China, Yuan dynasty (1279-1368); painting: Tibet, 17th century
MediumOpaque watercolor, gold, and silver on silk
DimensionsOverall: 43.8 x 11.1 cm (17 1/4 x 4 3/8 in.)
DepartmentTextiles
TypeEmbroidery
About the Artist

Choying Dorje, the Tenth Black Hat Karmapa (Tibetan, 1604–1674) Full biography →

Provenance & Source

Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.

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