A CHINESE EMBROIDERED SILK 'LORD YAMA' THANGKA.
17th/18th Century, or earlier.
Worked with silk and gilt thread, depicting the Lord of the Underworld identified by a panel reading Jiu Dian Shi Shi Wang, seated at his desk, fanned by two assistants, presiding judgement over two souls escorted by his wrathful looking retainers. Below, under a band of stylised waves, the gate of the Underworld divides a guardian with a trident to the left from a group of souls crossing a bridge on their way to heaven above the murky waters filled with spirits tormented by monsters, all within a brocade border, 103.5 x 52cm.
Provenance: a diplomatic gift from the leader of the Republic of China Chiang Kai-shek (1928 – 31) to Admiral Bhim Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana (1865 – 1932) and thence by descent.

十七 / 十八世紀或早期 閻摩像刺繡掛屏
來源：作為外交禮物由蔣介石（1887 – 1975）經馬福祥 (1876 – 1932)於1930年贈與尼泊爾總理Maharaj Bhim Shumsher Rana 殿下(1865 – 1932)，此後由家族傳承至現藏家

Lord Yama is known in the Buddhist parthenon as the Lord of Diyu, the Underworld, overseeing the Ten Kings of Hell. He was charged with the task of presiding over the judgement of souls and directing them straight into reincarnation or into one of the hells or heavens, neither of which was a permanent state. In the current piece he is seen weighing two books, most likely a record of deeds of the two judged souls. On his desk and held by his assistants are scrolls recording the span of every life in the world.


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