Page 112 - Bonhams Presencer Buddhist Art Collection Oct. 2 2018

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A COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF ACALA
TIBET, 13TH CENTURY
Himalayan Art Resources item no.61641
11.5 cm (4 1/2 in.) high

HK$100,000 - 150,000

西藏 十三世紀 不動明王銅像

Here, three-eyed Acala steps to the right and firmly anchors his left
knee on the lotus base, displaying the strength of the “Immovable
One”. Two forms of Acala exist in the kneeling posture – the blue-
bodied Nila Acala, and the white-bodied Sita Acala. Judging from his
mouth, with his fangs biting down on the lower lip, the present figure
should be the blue form.

Nila Acala is a yidam employed for removing obstacles. He is closely
associated with Manjushri. In the raised right hand he brandishes a
sword (khadga) to “cut through ignorance”, while the left hand displays
the gesture of exorcism (karana mudra). The principal source of the
kneeling Nila Acala is the Siddhaikavira Tantra, which is primarily
concerned with the practices of White Manjushri in the Ekavira form.

Several stylistic details – such as the tall lotus base, slim torso, oval
face, and tall chignon – resemble Pala period bronze sculptures from
Northeast India. Compare to a closely related example in the Alain
Bordier Collection, see von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures of the
Alain Bordier Foundation, Hong Kong, 2010, p.163, no.77.

Provenance
Jerome Beagle, 1999

110 | BONHAMS