Tashilhunpo Monastery: Tapestry of Arhats

CHINA, Tibet, Shigatse; Ming dynasty

In the middle register, there are two Arhats sitting opposite one another. Angada sits on the right and has an older face, a high forehead, and defined wrinkles. His mouth is open as if he is teaching the Dharma. He wears a red and green cross-collar robe and rests his right hand on his knee, while his left hand holds prayer beads. Karika sits on an armchair on the left; he has a young face and wears a red and orange cross-collar robe. Holding an incense burner, he appears to be listening to the Dharma. Both figures have nimbuses.
Between the Arhats is an attendant holding a vase that has auspicious clouds rising from it. Another attendant in the lower register on the right has his hands crossed in front of his chest. In the center of the lower register, there is a donor sitting on the floor holding a whisk in his right hand. A tiger is resting on the ground in front of him. A table in the lower register on the left has offerings. The background of the tapestry consists of ranges of mountains, in which there is a small pavilion. The scene is completed by a number of colorful, stylized clouds.