Page 14 - Bonhams Presencer Buddhist Art Collection Oct. 2 2018

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A COPPER ALLOY MIRROR OF CUNDI Written in Lantsa script around the front of this mirror is the Cundi
WITH A GILT COPPER ALLOY AMULET CASE dharani, believed to be a powerful mantra that when recited purifies
MING DYNASTY karma, attracts resources, grants protection, and promotes an
Himalayan Art Resources item nos.61696 & 61698 auspicious rebirth. Cundi, “The Goddess of the Seventy Million
Mirror: 9 cm (3 3/4 in.) diameter; Buddhas”, is depicted on the back with multiple arms that convey
Case: 11.5 cm (4 1/2 in.) diameter her cosmic reach. This esoteric practice is widespread throughout
East Asia. A practitioner would recite the Cundi mantra in front of the
HK$80,000 - 120,000 mirror, while holding his or her hands in the Cundi mudra. During the
recitation the mirror is often placed on a flat surface to form a “mirror
shrine”, and when finished, it should needs to be contained. An almost
明朝 準提菩薩銅鏡配銅鎏金盒 identical example is in the collection of the Qingdao Museum (see
qingdaomuseum.com/study/detail/77). Also compare to the bronze
mirror sold at Christie’s, New York, 31 March 2005, lot 149.

Provenance
Acquired from Herbert Stone, 1987

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