Page 10 - Bonhams NYC Portraits of the Masters Bronzes march 2017

3201 Judging from their size, modeling, chasing, and inscriptions, these
A GROUP OF THREE GILT COPPER ALLOY ARHATS three arhats originate from the same set.
TIBET, 18TH CENTURY
Comprised of Dharmatala, Ajita, and Vajriputra, each identified by Dharmatala sits on a rock, carrying a bag over his shoulder. His hair,
inscriptions taken from the Praise of the Sixteen Arhats. clothes, and shoes are worn in the Chinese style. A diminutive figure
Himalayan Art Resources item nos.2242, 2244 & 2249 of Amitabha in front of his chignon alludes to him as a manifestation of
6 1/2 in. (16.7 cm) high, the largest Avalokiteshvara.

US$30,000 - 50,000 Known for helping the devotee in meditation, Ajita’s serene expression
and posture project an air of focus and stillness, contrasting with the
西藏 十八世紀 銅鎏金尊者像三尊 fluidity of the voluminous robe covered in finely incised floral patterns.

Sitting in a more relaxed manner with one foot resting on the edge of
the base, Vajriputra holds a fly whisk in his right hand, while his left
hand is in tarjanimudra, to subdue evil intentions.

Two portraits from a closely related set were sold at Sotheby’s, New
York, 4 June 1994, lot 25 and Bonhams, London, 12 November 2015,
lot 73. The present lot also compares favorably to related arhats from
similar sets published in Xia (ed.), Pu Ti Miao Xiang, Shenyang, 2001,
pp.208-9, 211 & 213 nos.202-3, 205 & 207.

Published
Portraits of the Masters, pp.76-7, 80-1 & 92-3, nos.1, 3 & 9.

Published & Exhibited
Monasterios y Lamas del Tibet, p.146-7, nos.91-3.

8 | BONHAMS