Page 16 - Himalayan Art Macrh 19 2018 Bonhams

3009
A SILVER INLAID COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF VAIROCANA
SWAT VALLEY, 8TH/9TH CENTURY
Himalayan Art Resources item no.61576
7 in. (17.8 cm) high

$450,000 - 650,000
斯瓦特 八/九世紀 錯銀毗盧遮那佛銅像

The Swat Valley served as an important repository for Buddhism after the Huns
decimated the Kushan Empire in the 6th century, destroying many monasteries within the
ancient region of Gandhara. Spanning the 7th to 10th centuries, the small corpus of Swat
bronzes demonstrates an adaptive artistic tradition, responding to nearby regional styles
such as Gandhara, Gupta, and Kashmir.

Akshobhya would eventually rise to prominence, but considerable evidence indicates
that at the time of this sculpture’s creation, Vairocana was the principal Cosmic Buddha
worshipped in the Western Himalayas. The most telling corroboration of his importance
is that Tabo monastery in the Spiti Valley, the oldest continuously operating enclave in the
Himalayas since its foundation in 966, was constructed to house a sculptural mandala
with Saravid Mahavairocana at its center (see Klimburg-Salter (ed.), Tabo, Milan, 1997,
p.97, g.61).

The present sculpture is outstanding for the size and completeness of its composition.
The casting’s finer details are preserved in the delicate modeling of the thin scarf across
Vairocana’s arms, and the rich spiraling tresses framing his broad shoulders. Armbands
high on the biceps show three prominent jewels above chained swags. Vairocana’s
plump cheeks and penetrating inset silver eyes complete the remarkable figure.

Six buoyant lions protect his throne. Sashes cascade on either side, adding movement
to the frontal image. These combined elements are shared by a similar figure with four
lions held in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in Gugong bowuyuan cang: wenwu
zhenpin quanji; 60: Zangchuan fojiao zaoxiang, Hong Kong, 2008, p.16, no.15.

The bronze also closely compares to a slightly smaller example sold by Bonhams,
New York, 16 March 2015, lot 9, which shares the same crown, facial type, lions, and
‘artichoke-form’ lotus petals. See also the Maitreya in the British Museum, attributed to
Swat Valley, 8th-9th century, published in Pal, Bronzes of Kashmir, New Delhi, 1975,
pp.127 & 201, nos. 41 & 76.

A Swat bronze of Akshobhya also formerly belonging to the Wali Sahib of Swat is now in
the Metropolitan Museum of Art, (acc.#1985.77; Menzies, Buddha: Radiant Awakening,
Sydney, 2001, p. 96, no. 68).

Published
Douglas Barrett, ‘Bronzes form Northwest India and Western Pakistan’, in Lalit Kala
Akademi, April, New Dehli, 1962, p.XXVI, fig.12.
Phyllis Granoff, ‘A Portable Buddhist Shrine from Central Asia’, in Archives of Asian Art,
vol.22, 1968-9, p.86, fig.14.
Ulrich von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1981, p.94, no.11A.

Provenance
Collection of Wali Sahib of Swat before 1962
Private US Collection, 1970s

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