University of Virginia collection of thangkas

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

This collection is minimally processed and available for use.

Terms of access:

This collection contains some in-copyright material. Visit our Permissions and Publishing page for more information about use of Special Collections materials. The library can provide copyright information upon request, but users are responsible for making their own determination about lawful use of collections materials.

Summary

Extent:
3.26 Cubic Feet 3 tube containers
Creator:
University of Virginia. Library
Language:
No linguistic content; Not applicable

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains three Tibetan commissioned by the University of Virginia Library for the opening of the renovated library in 2024. Thangkas are paintings on on cotton or silk appliqué, typically of a deity, scene or a mandala and act as a visualization support for mediation practices or other Buddhist rituals. The titles of the three thangkas are Seventeen Philosophers, Four Friends, and World Peace Mandala. The three scrolls are on cotton canvas, painted with stone colors and decorated with 24-carat gold on brocade with wooden handles. All were scanned, and two were reproduced to display outside the Tibetan reading room in Shannon Library 2024. These were created by the Rincheling Gallery and Art School located at Boudhanath, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Biographical / historical:

Rincheling Gallery and Art School is located at Boudhanath, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The school produces a large variety of thangkas, while following the Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist philosophy and tradition. The owner of the gallery and school is Mr. Tashi Lama. The school strives to preserve the ancient Buddhist painting tradition and uses traditional materials and manner of painting to create their works.

Acquisition information:
This collection was purchased from theThangka.com by the Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia on August 4, 2023.
Physical description:
Good
Dimensions:
Containers 2 (6.25X 6.25 X 36 inches) 1 (6.25X 6.25 X 72 inches)
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard