Buddhist thangka, embroidery in floss silks and gold thread on silk, China, 1770-1800 Buddhist silk thangka embroidered with a central figure of the Buddhist divinity, Avalokiteshvara. The figure has eight pairs of hands, two clasped in the attitude of mercy, the others holding respectively a praying wheel, a rosary, a lotus flower, a bow and arrow and a vase. Behind are radiating hands with eyes, a double halo, a mountainous and wooded landscape and clouds. Above seated upon lotus pedestals and supported on clouds are six smaller figures, also with double halos, representing former manifestations of the same divinity. In either corner of the foreground beneath are two figures seated upon mats, probably representing the Dalai ("the vast") Lama and the Panchen (Great Doctor) Lama, the two chief dignitaries of the Tibetan worship. The former, to the left, wears a peaked cap, and holds a vase in one hand, and a thunderbolt resting on a lotus in the other. The latter, to the right, is an effigy of Sakyamuni Buddha with the hands raised in the attitude of preaching. There are three narrow edging and a broad border of brocade all woven with close floral patterns in gold thread, dark blue, yellow, green and red silks. Yellow silk lining. At the top are two gilt metal loops for suspension. (dated 1783?)