Page 14 - Bonhams Himalayan, Indian Art march 2015
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4 (detail)
4 An example in the Musée Guimet bearing a dedication dated 1145
A gilt copper alloy and inset Vajracharya crown has served as the basis for the small group of crowns known to
Nepal, circa 12th/13th century survive (Beguin, L’Inde et le monde de Indianisé, Paris, 1992, p. 126,
Triple-tiered with lotus-borne vajra finial and attached medallions MA4929). All from this group are finely detailed with lapis, garnets, and
of auspicious symbols and the five Dhyani Buddhas supported by turquoise. The treatment of the primary Buddha is common to all with
kirtimukha masks and surrounded by elaborate foliate mandorlas inset squat proportions and curling scarves flanking the shoulders. The only
with gems and semi-precious stones. variation in the present example is the absence of inlay along the rim,
12 in. (30.5 cm) high which may indicate a later date of production.
$20,000 - 30,000
Compare with other 12th-century examples in the Los Angeles County
Elaborate ritual crowns of this type are worn by Newari Buddhist Museum of Art (Pal, Art of Nepal, Los Angeles, 1985, p. 49, no. S27),
Vajracharyas when officiating religious ceremonies in Nepal. The Zimmerman Family Collection (Pal, op. cit., p. 49, no. 1) and the
Vajracarya (‘master of the thunderbolt’) is both a caste and family Potala Palace Collection (Berger, et al., Tibet: Treasures from the Roof
name indicating those entitled to perform priestly functions. of the World, Santa Ana, 2003, p. 120-1, no. 51). Another, formerly in
They command the highest rank in the Buddhist community, the the Kemper Collection, was sold at Christie’s, Amsterdam, 11 October
equivalent of Brahmins in Hinduism. 1994, lot 54. A later example is in the Victoria and Albert Museum (see
Guy, Indian Temple Sculpture, London, 2007, p. 59, pl. 59).
As noted by Pal, the Buddhas of the five directions and the axis
mundial vajra finial ‘...add a cosmic dimension to the crown; by Referenced
wearing it the priest himself becomes homologized with the cosmic HAR – himalayanart.org/image.cfm/41234.html
principle or divine essence.’ (Art of the Himalayas, New York, 1991,
p. 49). As the godhead of the Vajra family, Akshobhya features most Provenance
prominently, his winged kirtimukha with eyes of inset garnets, and his Private English Collection, 1970s/80s-2014
mandorla radiating with lapis lazuli.
12 | BONHAMS
