A large thangka depicting Buddha and Avadānas, Nepal, 19th century, A thangka with the Buddha Śākyamuni as central figure, with meditative expression, halo behind the head, long pendulous earlobes, seated in dhyānāsana atop a double-lotus pedestal, with the right hand reaching down towards the ground in bhūmisparśa mudrā, the left hand held gently in the lap in dhyānamudrā, “the gesture of meditation”. Buddha is surrounded by vignettes illustrating several classical Buddhist stories. The narrative design is possibly based on a series of woodblock prints of Narthang monastery depicting the Avadānas compendium. 123x84 cm (88x56 cm without border),