Page 69 - Bonhams Himalayan, Indian Art march 2015
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A gilt copper alloy figure of Begtse Chen
Mongolia, 18th century
Wearing armor and animal skins, he crushes a prone human and horse below his boots while
gripping a human heart before his chest.
8 in. (20.3 cm) high
$8,000 - 12,000
By the 11th century, Begste Chen entered the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon as one of the Eight
Great Dharma Protectors. Later in the 17th century, he rose to great prominence in Mongolia,
following the spread of Tsongkapa’s Gelug tradition throughout that region.
A similar figure was sold at Christie’s, London, 12 November 2002, lot 22. Also compare with
a figure of Vaishravana in the State Hermitage Museum, published in Rhie & Thurman, eds,
Wisdom and Compassion, New York, 2000, p. 305, no. 118. See also another Begtse in the
same collection (ibid., p. 307, no. 120).
Referenced
HAR – himalayanart.org/image.cfm/41220.html
Provenance
Private Canadian Estate
Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art | 67
