Page 152 - Bonhams, Fine Chinese Art, London November 3, 2022

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A RARE GILT-BRONZE ‘MAKARA’ BASE A FINE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF MAHAKALA
18th century 18th century
The mythical creature cast with a curved fish body and a horned The ferocious deity with flaming hair striding in alidhasana on a
dragon head defined by bulging eyes and open fangs, finely depicted prostrate figure with an elephant head, all atop a lotus-petal stand, the
emerging from tumultuous waves. deity’s six arms holding various ritualistic ornaments including a kapala
14cm (5 1/2in) high. and kartrika on the primary hands, wearing a tiger skin loin cloth,
adorned with a billowing scarf and various jewelleries.
£2,000 - 3,000 19.5cm (7 5/8in) high.
CNY16,000 - 24,000
£15,000 - 20,000
十八世紀 銅鎏金「摩伽羅」底座 CNY120,000 - 160,000

The present makara would have likely served as a base supporting 十八世紀 銅鎏金六臂大黑天像
one of the Eight Buddhist Emblems, bajixiang, which were positioned
on altar tables during the performance of Buddhist rituals. Compare
two similar gilt-bronze makaras, Yongzheng, supporting respectively a
conch and a parasol, in the Ji Zhen Zhai Collection, illustrated by Fang
Jing Pei, Symbols and Rebuses in Chinese Art, Berkeley, CA, 2003,
nos.36 and 49.

In ancient Indo-Tibetan cosmology, makara are sea-monsters that
balance the universe on their backs as they move through the cosmic
ocean. The mythical creature combines the jaws of a crocodile, trunk
of an elephant and lion’s paws.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
150 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.