Page 40 - Bonhams Indian and Himalayan Art September 2013

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A terracotta polychromed figure of Hayagriva and Vajravarahi
39 Tibet, 19th century
38 | Bonhams Standing on a lotus base astride in alidhasana on two prostrate figures
with six arms radiating outwards before his wings, in his primary hands
he holds Vajravarahi whose left leg is wrapped around his thigh, he wears
a tiger skin and garlands of human skulls, his three faces with very fierce
expressions surmounted by crowns of dried human skulls, flame-like hair,
and the characteristic horse head.
14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm) high
$8,000 - 12,000

For a version in wood from Mongolia in the Rubin Museum of Art, see
HAR no. 65732, and for a stylistically similar figure in bronze see Olson,
Tantric Buddhist Art, New York, 1974, no. 72.

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A gilt copper alloy head of Avalokiteshvara
Bhutan, 18th century
His elegant face centered by a turquoise inlaid urna and richly adorned
with an elaborate five-leafed crown and earrings inlaid with semi-precious
stones, the diamond shaped earrings embellished with repeated blossoms,
the crown with festooned bells dangling across his forehead and foliate
ribbons swirling behind the ears, his hair arranged into a distinctive tall
chignon surmounted by the crowned Amitabha with foliate aureole.
16 3/4 in. (42.7 cm) high
$5,000 - 8,000

Provenance:
Private Dutch Collection, late 1980s

40
A Bon Po thangka of Tagla Membar
Tibet, 19th century
Distemper on cloth; Encircled by flames and standing on a lotus throne
supported by various beasts, the central deity in alidhasana above
prostrate figures, with his right and left hands outstretched holding the
golden wheel and nine swords, adorned with a crown of five dry skulls,
gold earrings, necklaces and freshly severed heads, and wearing a green
scarf and human and animal skins; numerous retinue figures surround
him, including Sipai Gyamo, the Queen of the World, and Sidya Temor
on a red mule in the bottom corners, the Red Tiger-faced One directly
below him, the five Female Mamo Mind Emanations with the multicolored
leader holding a stupa to his left, the animals of the four directions, Tonpa
Shenrab directly above him, and Kunzung Gyawa Dupa flanked by two
Bon Po hierarchs at the apex.
Image: 37 x 24 in. (94 x 61 cm)
$10,000 - 15,000

Tagla Membar, the “Tiger God”, is a fierce form of a direct disciple of
Tonpa Shenrab who founded the Bon religion. In discussion of a closely
related example in the Rubin Museum of Art (HAR200041), Watt and
Linrothe explain that although Tagla Member is primarily implemented
as a guide leading the practitioner to Bon enlightenment, he is also
referred to as a ‘doctrinal weapon’ employed whenever Bon is being
suppressed by Buddhists (see Watt & Linrothe, Demonic Divine,
New York, 2004, no. 59). Compare to another thangka with almost
identical composition published in Kvaerne, The Bon Religion of Tibet,
London, 1995, pp. 124-5.

Provenance:
Private Southwest Collection