Tibet, 19th century
The goddess Satrig Ersang is one of the Four Transcendent Lords (deities) of the Bon religion in this world era, often depicted as a series of four thangkas. Her name means ‘wisdom’, and her attributes are the yungdrung (Sanskrit = swastika), which is a symbol of eternity, and a mirror. She is seated on a lion throne under a throne arch, decorated with pairs of vases, dragons, boys and makaras, at the apex of which is a garuda. The background is made up of 255 miniature representations of the goddess. To the centre of the lower register stands a nine-headed and 18-armed protective deity, probably Walse Ngampa. Verso, an inscription consisting of several mantras ending with the following prayer, ‘May auspiciousness [prevail] andin all directions around the installation of this holy object (sku rten) and all places great blessings reign with [no] human epidemics, or cattle plagues , and may rain always fall at appropriate times;
may things be fortuitous for 10 years, and may good fortune and goodness be always achieved, may auspiciousness prevail.’ Some stains and losses of paint. 83.5 x 64.5 cm. Wooden frame. (BA)

This thangka is presumed to belong to a series of four, the other three images having been published in Per Kvaerne, The Bon Religion of Tibet, London (Serindia) 1995, plates 4, 5 and 9. One of them (plate 5) is held by the Museum für Völkerkunde, Munich).

Provenance: From Austrian private ownership

笨教智慧佛母唐卡
西藏，十九世纪
背面带藏文题字，颜色局部带污点和退色，这幅唐卡可能是一套四张里面的一张，另外三张在1995年在Per Kvaeme: The Bon Religion of Tibet, London中登载过。
出处：奥地利私家收藏