A CHINESE EMBROIDERED SILK 'LORD YAMA' THANGKA. Early Qing Dynasty, or earlier. Worked with silk and gilt thread, depicting the Lord of the Underworld identified by a panel reading Jiu Dian Shi Shi Wang, seated at his desk, fanned by two assistants, presiding judgement over two souls escorted by his wrathful looking retainers. Below, under a band of stylised waves, the gate of the Underworld divides a guardian with a trident to the left from a group of souls crossing a bridge on their way to heaven above the murky waters filled with spirits tormented by monsters, all within a Ming Dynasty brocade border, 103.5 x 52cm. Provenance: a diplomatic gift from Chiang Kai-shek (1887 – 1975) to the ruler of Nepal, His Highness Maharaj Bhim Shumsher Rana (1865 – 1932) via Ma Fuxiang (1876 – 1932) in 1930, thence by descent.  清早期或更早   閻摩像刺繡掛屏 來源：作為外交禮物由蔣介石（1887 – 1975）經馬福祥 (1876 – 1932)於1930年贈與尼泊爾總理Maharaj Bhim Shumsher Rana 殿下(1865 – 1932)，此後由家族傳承至現藏家 Lord Yama is known in the Buddhist parthenon as the Lord of Diyu, the Underworld, overseeing the Ten Kings of Hell. He was charged with the task of presiding over the judgement of souls and directing them straight into reincarnation or into one of the hells or heavens, neither of which was a permanent state. In the current piece he is seen weighing two books, most likely a record of deeds of the two judged souls. On his desk and held by his assistants are scrolls recording the span of every life in the world. *For a full condition report, please contact the department.* *请您联系我们索取品项报告。*