A cow leather "Nangtang Thangka": a Tibetan Buddhist painting (usually done on cotton or silk appliqué). "Nangtang" refers to the style of gold pigment on a black background. Thangkas are traditionally kept unframed and rolled up when not on display, mounted on a textile backing somewhat in the style of Chinese scroll paintings. This one shows a large image of a Buddha in a traditional seated meditating pose, with 5 variations: one in each of the corners and one below. Fine gold line work with traces of green and red fill the darker spaces with interesting rhythms. Some Tibetan writing can be discerned on the reverse side, as well as painted impressions of Chinese characters. H: 13 1/2" (34.3cm) W: 10 7/16" (26.5cm) Condition: Some minor cracking in the paint on the primary and upper right figures. Moderate wearing of the paint on the right-hand side of the primary figure. The paint on the figure in the lower center is more heavily worn. Despite this, the leather seems to be in excellent condition.