Lot 94A: Vibrant 19th C. Tibetan Gilt Thangka of Vajrapani

Name: Vibrant 19th C. Tibetan Gilt Thangka of Vajrapani
Brand: Artemis Fine Arts
SKU: 4078bacdee
Price: 3000 USD

Est: $6,000 USD - $9,000 USDSold:

Artemis Fine ArtsLouisville, CO, USNovember 06, 2025

Item Overview

Description

Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 19th century CE. A vivid 19th century Tibetan thangka depicting Vajrapani, the fierce protector and manifestation of the Buddha's power, surrounded by a host of wrathful deities and guardians. The central figure, painted in deep blue tones and richly adorned with gilding composed of exceptionally pure gold - over 90% in quality in several areas - stands within a blazing aureole of fire, his muscular form animated with divine energy. His wide, glaring eyes and gaping mouth convey both ferocity and compassion, the dual nature of the bodhisattva who destroys ignorance to protect the Dharma. Rendered in mineral pigments on cloth and highlighted with extensive gilding, Vajrapani is shown trampling upon two prostrate figures, symbolizing the conquest of negative forces. He holds the vajra (thunderbolt) aloft in his right hand - a weapon of spiritual might - while his left hand gestures downward in subjugation. Size: 20.3" W x 27.3" H (51.6 cm x 69.3 cm)

He wears a crown of skulls, jeweled ornaments, and a tiger-skin loincloth, traditional symbols of transcendence over illusion and worldly fear. Above Vajrapani sits a teacher or lineage master enthroned within a nimbus of red and gold, identified by his monastic robes and high red hat, likely representing a Nyingma or Kagyu lama. Around them, a fiery retinue of deities rides lions, tigers, and mythical beasts across clouds of turquoise and sapphire sky. The surrounding guardians, each with unique animal mounts and flaming halos, embody the cosmic forces under Vajrapani's command.

The thangka's palette is striking, with contrasting lapis blue and verdant green grounds offset by red and gold flames that radiate through the composition. The pigments - derived from crushed minerals such as azurite and malachite- are enriched by the brilliant gilding of exceptionally high gold content, which enhances the work's luminosity and sacred presence. Despite the passage of time, the painting retains remarkable vibrancy and depth, revealing both the technical mastery of its painter and the devotional intensity of its original setting. Vajrapani, whose name means "Holder of the Thunderbolt," is one of the earliest and most powerful bodhisattvas in the Buddhist pantheon. In Tibetan art, he represents the might of all Buddhas, channeling the raw energy of enlightenment to protect the practitioner from both external and inner demons.

Provenance: private Lafayette, Colorado, USA collection, acquired in July 2025; ex-Material Culture, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)

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#197708

Condition Report

Some chipping and fraying to edges and discoloring to cloth with areas of staining. Top and bottom edges curl upwards due to being rolled for storage. Fading to some pigments and detail, but otherwise, intact with vibrant colors in areas and rich remains of gilding.

Payment & Shipping

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Shipping

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Auction Details

Connoisseur's Delight | Ancient, Ethnographic, Fine Art

Artemis Fine Arts

November 06, 2025, 08:00 AM MST

686 S. Taylor Ave., #108, Louisville, CO, 80027, US

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Terms

Live bidding may start higher or lower

Buyer's Premium

$1 - 249,999:28.5%*

$250,000+:25.0%*

Buyer's premium may vary based on bid amount. There is a $10 USD minimum and reduced fees on lots over $10,000 USD. You will be shown the exact amount when confirming your bid.

Bidding Increments

From:	To:	Increment:
$0	$299	$25
$300	$999	$50
$1,000	$1,999	$100
$2,000	$4,999	$250
$5,000+		$500

Terms of Sale

Please read the following "Terms of Sale" carefully. Your submission of bids in this auction constitutes your acceptance.

1. PAYMENT POLICY: To provide a seamless bidder checkout, all winning lots will be invoiced through LiveAuctioneers' LivePayments invoicing system, unless bidder chooses to pay Artemis Fine Arts directly via personal check or money order, via credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover), PayPal or Bank Wire Transfer. If bidder chooses to pay Artemis Fine Arts directly, bidder must contact Artemis Fine Arts to arrange payment. Payments not made within 5 business days of auction's end will forfeit bidder's right to purchase said item(s), with item(s) relisted to next appropriate auction. In addition, non-paying bidders will receive posted negative feedback on LiveAuctioneers and not be allowed bidding privileges on any future auctions.

2. BUYER'S PREMIUM: A 28.5% Buyer's Premium will be added to the hammer price of each lot purchased.

3. RETURN POLICY: No sale is final if you're not happy; however, it is important that you keep in mind deadlines for reporting issues based on the following situations: a. In the event of an authenticity dispute, written email notification must be provided to Artemis Fine Arts within 2 business days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data. After Artemis Fine Arts is notified of the dispute, a written letter from a recognized expert in the field pertaining to the item in dispute must then be presented for consideration (NO EXCEPTIONS). If Artemis Fine Arts concludes that the expert's assessment of the piece is accurate, a full refund, including hammer price, buyer's premium (if applicable), and shipping costs will be provided. Artemis Fine Arts will either provide a prepaid return shipping label or reimburse the return shipping charge. Artemis Fine Arts will only remit refund after the item has been returned in the same condition as received. b. In the event of an error in item description, condition report, provenance, or dimensions, written notification of the error must be given within 2 business days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data. A full refund, including item price, buyer's premium (if applicable), and shipping costs will be provided, if so requested. Artemis Fine Arts will either provide a prepaid return shipping label or will reimburse the return shipping charge. Artemis Fine Arts will only remit refund after the item has been returned in the same condition as received. c. If a return is requested for any reason other than the above, written notification with reason for return must be given within 2 days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data for Artemis Fine Arts to issue a refund to the original payment method. If notification is given after 5 days, the item may be returned for credit toward a future purchase or may be consigned for sale through Artemis Fine Arts. The item must be returned to Artemis Fine Arts at the buyer's expense. Original shipping charges will not be refunded. All items to be returned must be adequately insured and must be received by Artemis Fine Arts in the same condition as when shipped. In no event may any item be returned after 20 days from the date of delivery.

4. IN-HOUSE SHIPPING: All buyers will receive an invoice detailing their purchases, sales tax (if applicable), buyer's premium, and shipping/insurance charges. Items will be shipped upon receipt of payment and will be insured for their full value. If you prefer to work with a third-party shipper, we can assist with recommendations.

**Please note, we are currently unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia due to customs clearance issues. We are working to resolve this issue. If you are in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, arrange your own shipping, or we will not be able to complete your purchase.*

**For shipments outside of the USA, custom / duties may apply upon entry into said country; this fee, if any, is the buyer's responsibility. Also, please be aware that Artemis Fine Arts will NOT falsify customs value on any international shipments - what you pay is what we declare, no exceptions. If you have questions about this, please inquire BEFORE bidding**

5. Buyer agrees that any claim of controversy arising out of, or relating to the formation, interpretation of performance of these terms and underlying transactions or the breach thereof, is subject to arbitration or judicial proceedings and shall take place within the County of Boulder, CO subject to the laws of the State of Colorado.

6. QUESTIONS? Feel free to email us with questions prior to bidding or call us at 720-890-7700.

Shipping Terms

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