86C
Tibetan Embroidered Silk Thangka - Dazi Stitch
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Description
Tibet, late 19th to early 20th c. CE. An embroidered silk thangka painstakingly created with a very fine "Dazi" stitch (also called "Forbidden Stitch" or "Blind Stitch") depicting Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and principle patron deity of Tibet, in the center, Manjushri, the God of Supreme Wisdom on the lower left, and Vajrapani, protector and guide to Gautama Buddha on the lower right. A breathtaking composition mounted on a golden silk mat. Size: 34.5" L x 24.75" W (87.6 cm x 62.9 cm); 38" L x 28" W (96.5 cm x 71.1 cm) on silk matThe Dazi (Forbidden Stitch or Blind Stitch) refers to the knotted stitches used in conjunction with satin stitches that were reserved for the most exquisite, finely crafted silk costumes, robes, and rank badges. One romantic legend offers that the alternative term Blind Stitch arose because embroidering with this stitch gave young girls eye strain due to its fineness and intricacy. Whether called the Dazi stitch, the Forbidden Stitch, or the Blind Stitch, these all involve making small knots on the fabric surface by wrapping a heavy embroidery thread, typically silk floss, around a needle and then stitching it down. Embroiderers have done this with varying numbers of wrappings and a wide range of complexity. According to expert Wang Yarong, more than twenty varieties of knot stitch can be found throughout history, in East Asia alone. Apparently, early relics of this stitch have been found in an Eastern Han tomb at Nuoyinwula, Outer Mongolia, and even earlier examples on a pair of silk shoes were discovered in a tomb of the Warring States period in the Linzi, Shandong Province. More about the rich iconography of this thangka: Avalokiteshvara is depicted as a four-armed Bodhisattva of Compassion. The upper hands hold prayer beads and a lotus blossom; the lower hands are presented in a gesture of prayer, clasping a wish-fulfilling jewel to his heart. This jewel symbolizes what is known as bodhicitta, an altruistic penchant to save all beings from suffering. He also holds a deer. This particular deer whose skin Avalokiteshvara eventually wore, symbolized a bodhisattva manifesting as a deer who sacrificed his life for the benefit of all living beings. Vajrapani, a wrathful deity who embodies the power of the Buddhas, is deep blue in color and puts forth a frightening countenance with bulging eyes, sharp fangs, and fiery hair that actually stands on end. In one hand he holds a vajra, the attribute that gives him his name which means "vajra in hand." Vajrapani's threatening ferocity provides believers with comfort, as he is the supreme protector of Buddhism. At the same time it terrifies demons who pursue evil ways and seek to harm living creatures and obstruct their paths to salvation. Manjushri, the God of Supreme Wisdom, holds the Book of Wisdom and the flaming sword that severs the roots of ignorance and misery. Manjushri is a semi-peaceful deity and sits upon a lunar disc on a lotus throne. Together this revered trio of deities - Avalokiteshvara, Vajrapani, and Manjushri - are the great protectors (in Tibetan: rig sum gonpo) who represent Compassion, Sacred power, and Wisdom, respectively. An important example, replete with rich iconography, stunning design, brilliant color, and a rare masterful command of the refined Dazi Stitch. Provenance: Ex-Bricker Collection Condition: Minor fraying to peripheries of silk mat. Otherwise remarkably excellent. 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. #119254
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Tibet, late 19th to early 20th c. CE. An embroidered silk thangka painstakingly created with a very fine "Dazi" stitch (also called "Forbidden Stitch" or "Blind Stitch") depicting Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and principle patron deity of Tibet, in the center, Manjushri, the God of Supreme Wisdom on the lower left, and Vajrapani, protector and guide to Gautama Buddha on the lower right. A breathtaking composition mounted on a golden silk mat. Size: 34.5" L x 24.75" W (87.6 cm x 62.9 cm); 38" L x 28" W (96.5 cm x 71.1 cm) on silk matThe Dazi (Forbidden Stitch or Blind Stitch) refers to the knotted stitches used in conjunction with satin stitches that were reserved for the most exquisite, finely crafted silk costumes, robes, and rank badges. One romantic legend offers that the alternative term Blind Stitch arose because embroidering with this stitch gave young girls eye strain due to its fineness and intricacy. Whether called the Dazi stitch, the Forbidden Stitch, or the Blind Stitch, these all involve making small knots on the fabric surface by wrapping a heavy embroidery thread, typically silk floss, around a needle and then stitching it down. Embroiderers have done this with varying numbers of wrappings and a wide range of complexity. According to expert Wang Yarong, more than twenty varieties of knot stitch can be found throughout history, in East Asia alone. Apparently, early relics of this stitch have been found in an Eastern Han tomb at Nuoyinwula, Outer Mongolia, and even earlier examples on a pair of silk shoes were discovered in a tomb of the Warring States period in the Linzi, Shandong Province. More about the rich iconography of this thangka: Avalokiteshvara is depicted as a four-armed Bodhisattva of Compassion. The upper hands hold prayer beads and a lotus blossom; the lower hands are presented in a gesture of prayer, clasping a wish-fulfilling jewel to his heart. This jewel symbolizes what is known as bodhicitta, an altruistic penchant to save all beings from suffering. He also holds a deer. This particular deer whose skin Avalokiteshvara eventually wore, symbolized a bodhisattva manifesting as a deer who sacrificed his life for the benefit of all living beings. Vajrapani, a wrathful deity who embodies the power of the Buddhas, is deep blue in color and puts forth a frightening countenance with bulging eyes, sharp fangs, and fiery hair that actually stands on end. In one hand he holds a vajra, the attribute that gives him his name which means "vajra in hand." Vajrapani's threatening ferocity provides believers with comfort, as he is the supreme protector of Buddhism. At the same time it terrifies demons who pursue evil ways and seek to harm living creatures and obstruct their paths to salvation. Manjushri, the God of Supreme Wisdom, holds the Book of Wisdom and the flaming sword that severs the roots of ignorance and misery. Manjushri is a semi-peaceful deity and sits upon a lunar disc on a lotus throne. Together this revered trio of deities - Avalokiteshvara, Vajrapani, and Manjushri - are the great protectors (in Tibetan: rig sum gonpo) who represent Compassion, Sacred power, and Wisdom, respectively. An important example, replete with rich iconography, stunning design, brilliant color, and a rare masterful command of the refined Dazi Stitch. Provenance: Ex-Bricker Collection Condition: Minor fraying to peripheries of silk mat. Otherwise remarkably excellent. 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. #119254
2-Day Auction - Ancient & Ethnographic Art from Around the World
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P.O. BOX 714
Erie
Colorado
80516
United States
For Artemis Gallery LIVE delivery information please telephone +1 7208907700.
Important Information
Day 1 of an important 2-day auction featuring ancient and ethnographic art from around the world. Egypt, Greek, Roman, Viking, Russian, Near Eastern plus Asian Art from China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, India, more.
Terms & Conditions
The following are the TERMS OF SALE for bidding in Live Auction, Weds., January 18, 2017. AUCTION will start at 8 a.m. MT, 10 p.m. EST, 7 a.m. PST - Live Online / Absentee Bidding only. Please read the following "Terms of Sale" carefully. These terms are applicable to all bidders in this auction, collectors and dealers alike. Please do not bid in this auction if you do not agree to all of the terms listed below. Your submission of bids in this auction constitutes your acceptance of these "Terms of Sale."
1. All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
2. This is an auction sale, not an approval sale. By bidding in this auction, the bidder personally guarantees payment. The auctioneer has final discretion in all matters. In case of dispute, the lot(s) in question may be resold. Lots will be sold in their numerical sequence unless the auctioneer directs otherwise.
3. HIGH and LOW ESTIMATES are provided for each lot for reference only.
4. No lots will be released / shipped until payment has been made in full. Payment(in U.S. funds) may be made via personal check or money order, via credit card (MasterCard, Visa or Discover), PayPal or Bank Wire Transfer. For PayPal payments please use "artemisgallery@gmail.com" email address for processing payments.
5. BUYER'S PREMIUM: A 24.5% Buyer's Premium will be added to the final price of each lot purchased through Artemis Gallery and will be paid by all bidders without exception.
6. CO SALES TAX: Appropriate Colorado Sales Tax will be added to all invoices, unless a valid CO seller's permit is on file with Artemis Gallery/Artemis Gallery Live prior to any bidding in the auction. Items shipped outside of CO (United States or international) are also sales tax exempt.
7. RETURN POLICY: If our description of the item is not as described, we will accept return of the item; however, WE MUST HAVE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION OF RETURN WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS FROM RECEIPT OF ITEM BY BIDDER, as shown by FedEx, UPS or USPS tracking data, and the item must be received by us within ten days in the condition received. A written letter from a recognized expert in the field pertaining to the item in dispute must be presented for refund. No lots may be returned without prior written consent. Late remittance constitutes just cause for revocation of all return privileges. Return shipping is at the bidder's expense. In no event may any lot(s) be returned after fifteen (15) days from the date of the auction. As of February 6, 2017 ALL SALES ARE FINAL.
8. BIDDING will be conducted ONLINE / LIVE as the auction progresses. Bidders may place their bids LIVE, via PHONE or by leaving ABSENTEE BIDS via the Live Auctioneers auction catalog. Please keep in mind that Phone Bids will be accepted on a limited basis and must be arranged in advance.
9. SHIPPING: As a convenience to our buyers, shipping is handled in-house. All buyers will receive an invoice detailing their purchases, sales tax (if applicable), buyer's premium, and shipping/insurance charges. Items will be shipped only upon receipt of payment in full and will be insured for their full value. **For shipments outside of the USA, customs and duties may apply upon entry into said country; this fee, if any, is the buyer's responsibility. Also, please be aware that Artemis Gallery will NOT falsify customs value on any international shipments - what you pay is what we declare, no exceptions. There are a small number of international countries we cannot ship to. If you have questions about this, please inquire BEFORE bidding**
9a. REQUEST TO DELAY SHIPPING FOR LOTS WON: We are happy to delay shipping on all paid lots for up to 30 days with no storage fees. After 30 days, storage fees will accrue based on a 2% of invoice total.
10. ESTIMATES for each lot are given only as a guide to help gauge bidding. Lots may sell for a price greater than or less than these estimates.
11. STARTING PRICES may or may not be the actual price at which any item will sell. At the discretion of the auctioneer, starting prices may be lowered to encourage bidding, but this is up to the auctioneer.
12. The auctioneer may open the bidding on any lot by placing a bid on behalf of the seller. The auctioneer may accept or decline any bid, or challenge to any bid, as he in his sole discretion shall determine.
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14. In the event a successful bidder fails to make payment when due, Artemis Gallery reserves the right to re-sell the merchandise and bidder agrees to pay for the reasonable cost of such a sale and also to pay any difference between the resale price and the previously successful bid, together with any incidental costs of sale and disbursements.
15. If the auction invoice is not paid for in full when due per invoice terms, including any applicable credit card processing fees, the unpaid balance will bear interest at the highest rate permitted by law until paid in full. If the matter is referred to an attorney for collection, bidder agrees to pay all reasonable attorney fees, court costs and other collection cost incurred by Artemis Gallery to collect past due invoices and that the services of process by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, shall be sufficient to confer "in personam" jurisdiction over bidder.
16. 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.
17. QUESTIONS? Feel free to email us at info@artemisgallery.com with questions prior to bidding or feel free to call us at 720-890-7700. Please be sure to ask all questions at least 30 minutes prior to auction start time, as we will not be able to take calls or answer emails sent to us during the auction.
Good luck!
