Mongolian Buddhist Art
Publication on Mongolian Buddhist Art launched
Tibet Foundation has been involved with reviving the rich Buddhist cultural and artistic heritage in Mongolia for many years. One of the major long-term projects has been to support the publication of a catalogue of the major works of art in the museums of Mongolia. The project was instigated by the late D. Khishigbayar, Director of the Centre of Cultural Heritage and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in Ulaanbaatar.
The first of these publications is a boxed two-part volume covering around 450 thangkas, appliqués and embroideries from the five major museums in Mongolia. Selected and photographed by the Centre for Cultural Heritage in conjunction with the curators of the participating museums, these pieces were chosen for their religious and historical importance, their aesthetic and technical quality, their uniquely Mongolian characteristics and their rarity.
Many years of painstaking research was carried out by the art consultant and researcher, Zara Fleming in the UK and J. Lhagvademchig Shastri, a Buddhist scholar in Mongolia. Each item has been examined in detail and as a result a description of each work in English as well as in Mongolian, accompanied by a full page colour plate is presented. Staff at the Centre for Cultural Heritage and others in Mongolia contributed to the content and design of the publication. The project was managed by Shaida Dorabjee in the UK on behalf of the Foundation.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Shaida for her skilful management of the project and all those who have contributed towards the successful completion of this project, with special thanks to Sue Byrne, the former programme manager, Agzul Sosor, Mongolian project manager and Dr Phuntsok Tsering, the Foundation representative in Mongolia for their contribution and support.
This current volume is divided into eight chapters, encompassing the visual realms of the Buddhas and his disciples, mahasiddhas, Indian, Tibetan, and Mongolian scholars, previous reincarnations, yidams, dakinis, protectors and sacred architecture. Although constrained by the rules of Buddhist iconography and strongly influenced by Tibetan art, the Mongolians have succeeded in creating many works that are uniquely Mongolian, a highly expressive and vibrant tradition that can be seen in this volume. Dating from the late 17th to the 20th century, these examples offer rich new material for present and future studies of Buddhist art and its heritage in Mongolia.
Tibet Foundation in collaboration with Serindia Publications is delighted to announce the launch of this publication, which will play a key role in ensuring that knowledge of the rich Mongolian cultural heritage is recorded and shared throughout the world.
Phuntsog Wangyal
Mongolian Buddhist Art
Thangkas, Appliqués and Embroideries
2-Volume Hard Cover; Slipcase
1,016 pages, 441 colour plates
Price: £295
Now available in Europe from Distributer: Kodansha Europe Ltd, 40 Stockwell Street, Greenwich, London SE10 8EY,
Tel. +44(0) 20 8293 0111
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