-
Details
- Place where the work was made
-
Southern Tibet
→
Tibet
- Date
- 17th century-18th century
- Media category
- Painting
- Materials used
- gouache on cotton
- Dimensions
- 10.5 x 9.2 cm
- Signature & date
Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- Gift of Marie-Francoise Fatton 2000
- Location
- Not on display
- Accession number
- 17.2000
- Copyright
- Artist information
-
Unknown
Works in the collection
- Share
-
-
About
'Tsakali' are painted 'initiation cards' unique to the Tibetan tradition. Unlike 'thangkas', these icons are images in miniature which focus on one aspect or attribute of a deity. A set of cards forms a mandala of images and is employed in various ritual situations including the transmission of teachings, as aids for meditation, in funerary rites and as substitutes for ritual objects when they are difficult to obtain. The two 'tsakalis' illustrated here are most likely from the same set. Each card is rendered in flat, primary colours, with the image composed of simple shapes outlined with fluid black lines. They have both been consecrated with the mantra of the deity inscribed on the back.
The Asian Collections, AGNSW, 2003, pg.66.
-
Bibliography
Referenced in 3 publications
-
Jackie Menzies (Editor), The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 2003, 66 (colour illus.).
-
P. Pal., Tibet: Tradition and Change, 'Four Miniature Paintings', Albuquerque, 1998, 195, 277. General reference; see plates 97 a-d in article by P. Pal for comparable pieces.
-
Pratapaditya Pal, The art of Tibet, New York, 1969, 52. General reference; see page 52 for comparable piece.
-
