Tibetan Gilt Thangka Silk Painting – Yellow Jambhala (Auction 2026-06-05, Lot 195)

$385.50

Central Asia, Tibet, ca. early 20th century CE. A vivid thangka depicting Jijig, the frightful wealth deity better known as Yellow Jambhala, seated in a dynamic posture upon a lotus throne. His robust, golden-hued form conveys both authority and abundance, framed by an ornate architectural aureole set against a richly patterned red ground. He is adorned with a gilt crown and elaborate jewelry befitting his status, reinforcing his identity as a bestower of wealth and divine power. With one face and two arms, he grasps a vajra in his right hand, symbolizing indestructible power, while his left cradles a mongoose – the mythical creature Nehulay – shown disgorging precious jewels, an enduring emblem of inexhaustible wealth and generosity. Size of painting: 17.5″ W x 18.7″ H (44.4 cm x 47.5 cm); of thangka: 30″ W x 40.6″ H (76.2 cm x 103.1 cm)

Jijig appears here as a retinue deity associated with the eastern direction, and is widely understood as an emanation of the Buddha Ratnasambhava, embodying the transformative power of generosity and the alleviation of poverty across the six realms. He is also linked to Vaisravana, one of the Four Great Heavenly Kings, guardian of the northern realm and a protector of the Buddhist faith, further reinforcing his role as both benefactor and defender.

The composition is executed in mineral pigments on cloth, with crisp linework and saturated tones of red, green, and gold defining the figure and surrounding motifs. Flanking celestial figures appear in roundels above, reinforcing the sacred hierarchy and devotional focus of the image. The painting is presented within a silk mounting with brocade borders and suspended from a wooden dowel, consistent with traditional Tibetan thangka construction. As both a ritual object and visual invocation, such works served as focal points for meditation, prayer, and the cultivation of prosperity and spiritual merit.

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection

Condition: Excellent. Staining in lower right corner of silk mount; does not affect main imagery. Some pulls and creases, but, otherwise, in excellent overall condition witm impressive pigments and detail.