A thangka of Milarepa and scenes from his lifeTibet, 18th century
Distemper on cloth; with details picked out in gilt, and gilt captions illustrating the scenes and identifying each figure, verso inscribed, Chinese silk mounts. 61cm (24 in) x 43cm (16 3/4in)注脚Provenance: Blanche Manso, Art of the Past, New York, mid-1970s, by repute.

The 11th century Siddha Milarepa is one of the most prominent and influential teachers in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition; from his students arose many diverse lineages and practices which have permeated through all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Paintings of Milarepa surrounded by scenes of his life, like the present lot, were a popular subject.

Here the revered teacher is flanked by his disciples Rechung Dorje Drakpa and Gampopa, sitting at his left and right respectively, above the Worldly Protectors of the Kagyu tradition, Tseringma and the other Five Long-life Sisters, all attired in variously coloured silk garments and gold jewellery.

The Five Long-life Sisters were Tibetan mountain spirits belonging to the 'sman' class of worldly deities and living on the Tibet-Nepal border, who had been subjugated by the Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century and became avowed protectors of Buddhism. In the 11th century, they undertook the task of testing the resolve of fledgling Guru Milarepa. Having failed in their purpose, they also became students of the great teacher, who bestowed on them a number of practices, including the two special practices of the Hevajra Tantra and the 'Karma mudra'.