Page 104 - Bonhams Presencer Buddhist Art Collection Oct. 2 2018

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A COPPER AND SILVER INLAID COPPER ALLOY
FIGURE OF HEVAJRA
NORTHEASTERN INDIA, PALA PERIOD, 11TH CENTURY
Himalayan Art Resources item no.61770
6 cm (2 1/2 in.) high

HK$250,000 - 350,000

印度東北部 帕拉時期 十一世紀 錯銀錯紅銅喜金剛銅像

Hevajra is one of the earliest Vajrayana yidams. He is the principal
meditational deity of the high Anuttarayoga Tantras. The present
work depicts Hevajra in two-armed ‘Heruka’ form, with his right hand
wielding a vajra, and in his left a khatvanga, which symbolizes his
consort. Among the several different meanings of the word ‘Heruka’,
here it refers to the simplified form of a complex Anuttarayoga male
meditational deity, commonly used in the Sarma traditions of Tibetan
Buddhism.

The sculpture encapsulates the gem-like quality of late Pala bronzes
in the 11th and 12th centuries at their finest. His three eyes, teeth,
and jewelry are meticulously inlaid with silver and copper, and an
extravagant necklace alternates with these inlaid precious metals.
Hevarja’s dancing poise forms a svelte s-curve, while appearing to
balance his weight effortlessly on a single foot. The sculpture likely
originally appeared at the heart of a sculptural Hevajra mandala.

As the Presiding Buddha of the Vajra Family, Akshobhya is depicted in
Hevajra’s flaming hair. Another figure of Hevajra with the same detail
is in the Nyingjei Lam Collection (see Weldon & Casey, The Sculptural
Heritage of Tibet: Buddhist Art in the Nyingjei Lam Collection, London,
1999, p.21, figs.13&14). For another example of Hevajra Heruka, see
von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet, Vol.1, Hong Kong, 2003,
p.294, no.98A-B.

Provenance
Mimi Lipton, London, 1995

102 | BONHAMS