Thangka. Tibet, 19th century. Mixed technique on fabric. The wooden frame has some Chips. It has slight flaws in the paint and wear. Measurements: 84 x 59 cm; 92 x 61 cm (frame). Tibetan thangka with a central representation of a boddhisattva surrounded by a rich genealogy of worshipers. The central figure could be Padmasambhava, the great Buddhist teacher of Uddiyana, in present-day Pakistan, introducer of Buddhism in Tibet during the 8th century AD. Tibetan thangkas are Buddhist banners, painted or embroidered on silk, other fabrics or paper, which can be rolled. They were hung in monasteries and family altars, and occasionally carried by monks in religious processions. Originally, thangka paintings became popular among itinerant monks, as scroll paintings were easy to transport from one monastery to another. They were also important teaching instruments, as they showed scenes from the life of Buddha, prominent lamas and bodhisattvas.