A Fine Old Ceremonial Sword Paiwan Tribe Indigenous People of Taiwan Formosa Island

A Fine Old Ceremonial Sword Paiwan Tribe Indigenous People of Taiwan Formosa Island

This beautiful old Sword in a carved wood scabbard is from the Paiwan Tribe an original indigenous people of Taiwan, in earlier times Taiwan was known as Formosa Island.  The sword handle is carved in the form of a standing male ancestor. The finely carved wood scabbard has an upraised rectangular form with three heads in a row which relates to the Paiwan Tribes’ headhunting practices, below these heads is another standing male ancestor, and below that is an important snake head design.  Dating from the late 19th to early 20th Century & in good condition with an old use patina.

The hundred-pacer snake (Agkistrodon acutus) is one of the major characters in Paiwan mythology, and it is generally considered to be the pro-creator of the nobles and, in some episodes, of the commoners as well. With local variations in details, the focal theme of the procreation myths is that a female human accepted a marriage proposal from a snake, but not without strong dissent from her family. Jars with snake designs were given to the woman’s family by the snake as bride price, along with the privilege of using the snake design. These jars later became heirlooms of the family line that descended from this reptile-human union. Unions between women and snakes foretell prosperity.

The Paiwan are one of several indigenous peoples living the mountainous interior of Taiwan. Paiwan society is hierarchical, divided into high nobles, minor nobility, and commoners. In former times, only the high nobility was entitled to create or commission certain forms of human images, which portrayed important ancestors (tsmas). The ancestors, whose supernatural influence was controlled by the nobility, had the power to either help or harm the community, depending on whether their spirits received proper respect through ritual observances and offerings. The houses of Paiwan nobles were both the physical and artistic centres of ancestral power and imagery. The remains of noble ancestors were buried within the houses of their descendants, and their images adorned the doorways, house posts, and other architectural elements.

Have a good look at the other Paiwan or Rukai Tribes’ artworks on my website.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art & Asian Arts 

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbors.

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If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

A Fine Old Paiwan Mortar Paiwan People an Indigenous Tribe of Taiwan Formosa Island

This pair of beautiful old and rare carved wood Mortar is from either the Paiwan Tribe or other related original indigenous people of Taiwan, in earlier times Taiwan was known as Formosa Island.

This finely carved mortar is in the form of two male ancestor figures facing each other, their bent legs seen in the profile of the mortar.

The Mortar may have been used for betelnut or other medicinal plants. Dating from the late 19th Century and very rare.

There are several indigenous tribes living the mountainous interior of Taiwan. Their societies are hierarchical, divided into high nobles, minor nobility, and commoners. In former times, only the high nobility was entitled to create or commission certain forms of human images, which portrayed important ancestors (tsmas). The ancestors, whose supernatural influence was controlled by the nobility, had the power to either help or harm the community, depending on whether their spirits received proper respect through ritual observances and offerings. The houses of Paiwan nobles were both the physical and artistic centres of ancestral power and imagery.

Have a good look at the other Paiwan or Rukai Tribes artworks on my website.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art & Asian Art

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

A Fine Old Mongolian Buddhist Thangka Painting of Begtse

A Fine Old Mongolian Buddhist Thangka Painting of Begtse

This Fine Mongolian Thangka Painting of Begtse the Protector Deity of Mongolia.  Finely painted with polychrome pigments on handmade cotton paper. Dating from the 19th Century to the early 20th Century.  In good condition as clearly seen in the photograph.

The protector deity Begtse Chen, also known as Chamsing was popularized within the Sarma (new) Schools of Tibetan Buddhism by Marpa Lotsawa (1012-1096) and Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092-1158), the respective founders of the Marpa Kagyu and Sakya Traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Colloquially Begtse is known as red Mahakala and ranks relatively high in the Sakya protector pantheon of Wisdom Deities. However, in the various Kagyu Traditions, it is now rare to even find Begtse Chen. The protector was later adopted and incorporated into the Gelug School of Tsongkapa and subsequently became popular in Mongolia – predominantly following the Gelug tradition since the 17th century.

Buddhist teaching is not something learned from books, although they certainly play a part in reinforcing what one has already learned. The prime way of learning in Tibetan & Mongolian Buddhism is through one’s master’s words. A common sentiment in those lands is that, without a fully qualified master to transmit them, the Buddha’s teachings may well never have existed. In learning the many complex rituals involving sometimes hundreds of deity forms, their names, iconography, secret syllables, and so on, a student must have a teacher who almost always transmits this information orally. As an aid to memory, especially where complex deities are to be learned, small cards representing these myriad forms are shown by the master to the teacher, and the details, often found on the back of each card, are read aloud by the teacher with the intention that the student retains the details in their memory.

When a deity form has been fixed in the mind and one has embarked on the path of Buddhist tantra, at a certain stage one is expected to select a tutelary deity; that is, a deity that is core to one’s heart practice. This deity then becomes the focus of one being, and it is not unusual for both monks and laypeople to commission a large painting of such deities. These scroll paintings are known as thangkas ”

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist Art & Asian Art

Exhibited: The Art of Compassion: Buddhist Art from The Todd Barlin Collection. Sydney Australia 2018. Catalog Essay by Dr David Templeman,

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If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

Two Superb Old Tibetan Tsakli Paintings Buddhist Teaching Cards 18th Century

Two Superb Tibetan Tsakli Paintings Buddhist Teaching Cards 18th Century

These two beautiful old Tibetan Tsakli paintings depict Buddhist Bardo Deities.  These small artworks are very finely painted with polychrome pigments on thick handmade paper. The back of each painting has Tibetan script describing the deity, they date from the 18th Century and are in very good condition. They are mounted in a double row, three on top and three on the bottom with the museum-quality archival cards in dark blue, they are ready to put into a frame of your choice.

Buddhist teaching is not something learned from books, although they certainly play a part in reinforcing what one has already learned. The prime way of learning in Tibetan & Mongolian Buddhism is through one’s master’s words. A common sentiment in those lands is that, without a fully qualified master to transmit them, the Buddha’s teachings may well never have existed.

In learning the many complex rituals involving sometimes hundreds of deity forms, their names, iconography, secret syllables, and so on, a student must have a teacher who almost always transmits this information orally. As an aid to memory, especially where complex deities are to be learned, these small cards called Tsakli representing these myriad forms are shown by the master to the teacher, and the details, often found on the back of each card, are read aloud by the teacher with the intention that the student retains the details in their memory.

When a deity form has been fixed in the mind and one has embarked on the path of Buddhist tantra, at a certain stage one is expected to select a tutelary deity; that is, a deity that is core to one’s heart practice. This deity then becomes the focus of one being, and it is not unusual for both monks and laypeople to spend a great deal of money commissioning a large painting of such deities. These scroll paintings are known as thangkas ”

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist Art & Asian Art

Exhibited:  The Art of Compassion: Buddhist Art from The Todd Barlin Collection. Sydney Australia 2018. Catalogue written By Dr David Templeman,

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

Six Fine Old Tibetan Buddhist Tsakli Paintings 19th Century

Six Fine Old Tibetan Buddhist Tsakli Paintings from the 19th Century

This set of six beautiful old Tibetan Tsakli paintings depicts Buddhist Bardo Deities. These small artworks are very finely painted with polychrome pigments on thick handmade paper. The back of each painting has Tibetan script describing the deity, they date from the 19th Century and are in very good condition. They are mounted in a double row, three on top and three on the bottom with the museum-quality archival cards in dark blue, they are ready to put into a frame of your choice.

Buddhist teaching is not something learned from books, although they certainly play a part in reinforcing what one has already learned. The prime way of learning in Tibetan & Mongolian Buddhism is through one’s master’s words. A common sentiment in those lands is that, without a fully qualified master to transmit them, the Buddha’s teachings may well never have existed.

In learning the many complex rituals involving sometimes hundreds of deity forms, their names, iconography, secret syllables, and so on, a student must have a teacher who almost always transmits this information orally. As an aid to memory, especially where complex deities are to be learned, these small cards called Tsakli representing these myriad forms are shown by the master to the teacher, and the details, often found on the back of each card, are read aloud by the teacher with the intention that the student retains the details in their memory.

When a deity form has been fixed in the mind and one has embarked on the path of Buddhist tantra, at a certain stage one is expected to select a tutelary deity; that is, a deity that is core to one’s heart practice. This deity then becomes the focus of one being, and it is not unusual for both monks and laypeople to spend a great deal of money commissioning a large painting of such deities. These scroll paintings are known as thangkas ”

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist Art & Asian Art

Exhibited:  The Art of Compassion: Buddhist Art from The Todd Barlin Collection. Sydney Australia 2018. Catalogue written By Dr David Templeman,

 

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

Six Superb Tibetan Buddhist Tsakli Paintings from the 18th Century

A Set of Six Superb Large Size Tibetan Tsakli Paintings depicting six manifestations of the Buddhist Saint Padmasambhava

This set of six beautiful old Tibetan Tsakli paintings depicts six manifestations of the Buddhist Saint Padmasambhava, In Tibet, Padmasambhava is generally referred to as Guru Rinpoche, which means “precious master.” Guru Rinpoche is a totally enlightened being, a fully awakened one, a Buddha. He did not become enlightened gradually, or start practicing the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni and eventually achieve enlightenment. Guru Rinpoche incarnated as a fully enlightened being. Through his form, primordial wisdom manifests in the world to benefit all sentient beings.

These beautiful small artworks are very finely painted with polychrome pigments on thick handmade paper. The back of each painting has Tibetan script describing the deity, they date from the 18th Century and are in very good condition. They are mounted in a double row, three on top and three on the bottom with the museum-quality archival cards in dark blue, they are ready to put into a frame of your choice.

Buddhist teaching is not something learned from books, although they certainly play a part in reinforcing what one has already learned. The prime way of learning in Tibetan & Mongolian Buddhism is through one’s master’s words. A common sentiment in those lands is that, without a fully qualified master to transmit them, the Buddha’s teachings may well never have existed.

In learning the many complex rituals involving sometimes hundreds of deity forms, their names, iconography, secret syllables, and so on, a student must have a teacher who almost always transmits this information orally. As an aid to memory, especially where complex deities are to be learned, these small cards called Tsakli representing these myriad forms are shown by the master to the teacher, and the details, often found on the back of each card, are read aloud by the teacher with the intention that the student retains the details in their memory.

When a deity form has been fixed in the mind and one has embarked on the path of Buddhist tantra, at a certain stage one is expected to select a tutelary deity; that is, a deity that is core to one’s heart practice. This deity then becomes the focus of one being, and it is not unusual for both monks and laypeople to spend a great deal of money commissioning a large painting of such deities. These scroll paintings are known as thangkas ”

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist Art & Asian Art

Exhibited:  The Art of Compassion: Buddhist Art from The Todd Barlin Collection. Sydney Australia 2018. Catalogue By Dr David Templeman,

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

Four Fine Tibetan 19th Century Tsakli Paintings Buddhist Teaching Cards

Four Fine Tibetan 19th Century Tsakli Paintings Buddhist Teaching Cards

This set of four very fine Tibetan Tsakli Paintings depicts Buddhist Wrathful Tantric Deities.

They are all finely painted with polychrome pigments on thick handmade paper.  Dating from the 19th Century and in good condition as clearly seen in the photos.

They are mounted in a single row of four paintings with museum-quality archival card in dark blue, they are ready to put into a frame of your choice.

According to the Tibetan Art Scholar David Templeman writing in my exhibition catalogue: The Art of Compassion: Buddhist Art in The Todd Barlin Collection 2018,

” Buddhist teaching is not something learned from books, although they certainly play a part in reinforcing what one has already learned. The prime way of learning in Tibeto-Mongol Buddhism is through one’s master’s words. A common sentiment in those lands is that, without a fully qualified master to transmit them, the Buddha’s teachings may well never have existed. In learning the many complex rituals involving sometimes hundreds of deity forms, their names, iconography, secret syllables, and so on, a student must have a teacher who almost always transmits this information orally. As an aid to memory, especially where complex deities are to be learned, small cards representing these myriad forms are shown by the master to the teacher, and the details, often found on the back of each card, are read aloud by the teacher with the intention that the student retains the details in their memory. These small cards are called tsakli or tsakali. When a deity form has been fixed in the mind and one has embarked on the path of Buddhist tantra, at a certain stage one is expected to select a tutelary deity; that is, a deity that is core to one’s heart practice. This deity then becomes the focus of one being, and it is not unusual for both monks and laypeople to spend a great deal of money commissioning a large painting of such deities. These scroll paintings are known as thangkas ”

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist Art & Asian Art

Exhibited: The Art of Compassion: Buddhist Art from The Todd Barlin Collection. Sydney Australia 2018. Catalogue written By David Templeman,

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

Six Fine Old Tibetan Buddhist Tsakli Paintings Teaching Cards 19th C

Six Fine Old Tibetan Buddhist Tsakli Paintings Teaching Cards from the 19th Century 

This set of six fine Tibetan Tsakli Paintings depicts Buddhist Tantric Bardo Deities and Garuda.

They are all finely painted with polychrome pigments on thick handmade paper.  Dating from the 19th Century and in good condition as clearly seen in the photos. They are mounted in a double row of three paintings with a museum-quality archival card in dark blue, they are ready to put into a frame of your choice.

Buddhist teaching is not something learned from books, although they certainly play a part in reinforcing what one has already learned. The prime way of learning in Tibeto-Mongol Buddhism is through one’s master’s words. A common sentiment in those lands is that, without a fully qualified master to transmit them, the Buddha’s teachings may well never have existed. In learning the many complex rituals involving sometimes hundreds of deity forms, their names, iconography, secret syllables, and so on, a student must have a teacher who almost always transmits this information orally. As an aid to memory, especially where complex deities are to be learned, small cards representing these myriad forms are shown by the master to the teacher, and the details, often found on the back of each card, are read aloud by the teacher with the intention that the student retains the details in their memory. These small cards are called Tsakli. When a deity form has been fixed in the mind and one has embarked on the path of Buddhist tantra, at a certain stage one is expected to select a tutelary deity; that is, a deity that is core to one’s heart practice. This deity then becomes the focus of one being, and it is not unusual for both monks and laypeople to spend a great deal of money commissioning a large painting of such deities. These scroll paintings are known as thangkas ”

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist Art & Asian Art

Exhibited: The Art of Compassion: Buddhist Art from The Todd Barlin Collection. Sydney Australia 2018. Catalogue written by Dr David Templeman,

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

Five Superb Old Tibetan Buddhist Tsakli Paintings 19th Century

Five Superb Old Tibetan Buddhist Tsakli Paintings from the 19th Century

This set of five beautiful old Tibetan Tsakli paintings depicts Buddhist Deities. These small artworks are very finely painted with polychrome pigments on thick handmade paper. The back of each painting has Tibetan script describing the deity, they date from the 19th Century and are in very good condition. They are mounted in a double row, three on top and three on the bottom with the museum-quality archival cards in dark blue, they are ready to put into a frame of your choice.

Buddhist teaching is not something learned from books, although they certainly play a part in reinforcing what one has already learned. The prime way of learning in Tibetan & Mongolian Buddhism is through one’s master’s words. A common sentiment in those lands is that, without a fully qualified master to transmit them, the Buddha’s teachings may well never have existed.

In learning the many complex rituals involving sometimes hundreds of deity forms, their names, iconography, secret syllables, and so on, a student must have a teacher who almost always transmits this information orally. As an aid to memory, especially where complex deities are to be learned, these small cards called Tsakli representing these myriad forms are shown by the master to the teacher, and the details, often found on the back of each card, are read aloud by the teacher with the intention that the student retains the details in their memory.

When a deity form has been fixed in the mind and one has embarked on the path of Buddhist tantra, at a certain stage one is expected to select a tutelary deity; that is, a deity that is core to one’s heart practice. This deity then becomes the focus of one being, and it is not unusual for both monks and laypeople to spend a great deal of money commissioning a large painting of such deities. These scroll paintings are known as thangkas ”

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist Art & Asian Art

Exhibited:  The Art of Compassion: Buddhist Art from The Todd Barlin Collection. Sydney Australia 2018. Catalogue written By Dr David Templeman,

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

A Superb Old Mongolian Buddhist Thangka Painting of Blue Mahakala

See more Fine Tsakli Painting in Tsakli Painting Gallery

A Superb Old Mongolian Buddhist Thangka Painting of Blue Mahakala from the 19th Century 

Finely painted with polychrome pigments on handmade cloth. Dating from the late 19th Century & with some minor loss to the paint as clearly seen in the photograph top right & left corners. The main figure of Mahakala is in very good condition.

Mahakala is a Protector Deity or Dharmapala and specifically the primary Wisdom Protector of Himalayan and Tibetan & Mongolian Buddhism.   Mahakala, in all his forms, is one of the most popular, protective deities in Mongolia and his practice transcends all Buddhist traditions. This six-armed form of Mahakala stands dressed in the appropriate terrifying ornaments of a protector. Some of these are a tiger skin (just visible between his legs and on his right thigh), snake garlands, and a skull crown. He is surrounded by whirling flames, which symbolize the end of a world age. He holds in his right arm a skull rosary, a yogic skull drum with silk tassels, and a chopper held to the front. In his left arm, he holds a trident, a lasso with a metal hook, and, to the front, a skull cup of wisdom. He stands on top of an elephant, which represents all obstacles to Buddhist practice.

Buddhist teaching is not something learned from books, although they certainly play a part in reinforcing what one has already learned. The prime way of learning in Tibeto-Mongol Buddhism is through one’s master’s words. A common sentiment in those lands is that, without a fully qualified master to transmit them, the Buddha’s teachings may well never have existed.

In learning the many complex rituals involving sometimes hundreds of deity forms, their names, iconography, secret syllables, and so on, a student must have a teacher who almost always transmits this information orally. As an aid to memory, especially where complex deities are to be learned, small cards representing these myriad forms are shown by the master to the teacher, and the details, often found on the back of each card, are read aloud by the teacher with the intention that the student retains the details in their memory.

When a deity form has been fixed in the mind and one has embarked on the path of Buddhist tantra, at a certain stage one is expected to select a tutelary deity; that is, a deity that is core to one’s heart practice. This deity then becomes the focus of one being, and it is not unusual for both monks and laypeople to spend a great deal of money commissioning a large painting of such deities. These scroll paintings are known as thangkas, this one used by travelers in a shrine.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist Art & Asian Art

Exhibited and Published:  The Art of Compassion: Buddhist Art from The Todd Barlin Collection. Sydney Australia 2018. Catalogue written By David Templeman, Page 35

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.