A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF BUDDHAWEST TIBET, 13TH/14TH CENTURY
Himalayan Art Resources item no. 4920
22.8 cm (9 in.) highFootnotes藏西 十三/十四世紀 銅鎏金佛陀像
Provenance:
With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970s
This image of Shakyamuni is particularly unique for its mixture of elements typically associated with other Buddhist regions, including India, Burma, Nepal, and Tibet. The wide forehead and heart-shaped profile recall Northeast Indian sculptures from the Pala period, as seen in two bronzes in the Patna Museum, Bihar (published in Ray, Eastern Indian Bronzes, 1986, pp. 133-4, nos. 141 & 142). Secondly, and quite distinct, is the shortening of the neck and the conical shape of the ushnisha, which seem to loosely borrow from Pagan period sculptures dating to the 11th/12th centuries of Burma. Both traits appear on a Burmese gilt lacquer wood Buddha in the Cleveland Museum of Art (2011.149), providing further visual evidence of contact between Burma, Tibet, and Nepal. Lastly, the broad physique, eyebrows terminating at the nasal bridge, and the application of red lacquer to the back of the undecorated lotus base also show signs of its connection to Khasa Malla sculpture. Sharing these details are two Buddha images sold at Bonhams, one in New York, 13 March 2017, lot 3070, and another in Hong Kong, 21 April 2021, lot 20. As such, it is likely that the following image was made nearby this kingdom located in West Nepal and West Tibet, given that the region was most known for adopting the stylistic traditions of neighboring kingdoms. Ultimately, the present work's face is more closely tied with sculptures from Tibet, as shown by a figure of Vajradhara from the Claude de Marteau Collection, Part 1, sold in Bonhams, Paris, 14 June 2022, lot 47.
A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF BUDDHAWEST TIBET, 13TH/14TH CENTURY
Himalayan Art Resources item no. 4920
22.8 cm (9 in.) highFootnotes藏西 十三/十四世紀 銅鎏金佛陀像
Provenance:
With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970s
This image of Shakyamuni is particularly unique for its mixture of elements typically associated with other Buddhist regions, including India, Burma, Nepal, and Tibet. The wide forehead and heart-shaped profile recall Northeast Indian sculptures from the Pala period, as seen in two bronzes in the Patna Museum, Bihar (published in Ray, Eastern Indian Bronzes, 1986, pp. 133-4, nos. 141 & 142). Secondly, and quite distinct, is the shortening of the neck and the conical shape of the ushnisha, which seem to loosely borrow from Pagan period sculptures dating to the 11th/12th centuries of Burma. Both traits appear on a Burmese gilt lacquer wood Buddha in the Cleveland Museum of Art (2011.149), providing further visual evidence of contact between Burma, Tibet, and Nepal. Lastly, the broad physique, eyebrows terminating at the nasal bridge, and the application of red lacquer to the back of the undecorated lotus base also show signs of its connection to Khasa Malla sculpture. Sharing these details are two Buddha images sold at Bonhams, one in New York, 13 March 2017, lot 3070, and another in Hong Kong, 21 April 2021, lot 20. As such, it is likely that the following image was made nearby this kingdom located in West Nepal and West Tibet, given that the region was most known for adopting the stylistic traditions of neighboring kingdoms. Ultimately, the present work's face is more closely tied with sculptures from Tibet, as shown by a figure of Vajradhara from the Claude de Marteau Collection, Part 1, sold in Bonhams, Paris, 14 June 2022, lot 47.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
