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A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF A GELUGPA Zanabazar is closely linked to the renaissance of Buddhism in
HIERARCH the Qing dynasty as he is credited with the spread of Tibetan
MONGOLIA, ZANABAZAR SCHOOL, 17TH / Buddhist teachings in Mongolia. A brilliant scholar, linguist
18TH CENTURY and artist, from his birth he was expected to become a major
Buddhist gure. A direct descendant of Chinggis Khan,
nely cast seated in dhyanasana on a lotus base, with hands Zanabazar was consecrated at the age of three and declared
held in dhyanamudra supporting a vase, wearing richly an incarnation of the historian Taranatha (1575-1634) when
decorated robes falling over the crossed-legs in loose pleats, he travelled to Tibet to meet the Fifth Dalai Lama at the age
the hems incised with orets and diaper patterns, the face of fourteen in 1649. He was particularly active in politics and
with a serene expression surmounted by a pointed hat with diplomacy, and found an ally and good friend in the Kangxi
overhanging lappets falling to the shoulders, the base sealed emperor whom he often visited. Numerous legends developed
and centered with a vishvavajra around him, including the story surrounding his ease at lifting
Height 6⅞ in., 17.4 cm a heavy bell and dorje, or his appearance before the Kangxi
emperor as Vajradhara, the primordial Buddha.
PROVENANCE
Similar gures from the Zanabazar school include one
German Private Collection. depicting Tsongkhapa included in the exhibition Mongolia.
The Legacy of Chinggis Khan, Asian Art Museum of San
This exceptional gure of a Lama embodies the aesthetic Francisco, San Francisco, 1995, cat. no. 15, together with
vision of the seventeenth century Mongolian spiritual leader a bronze image of Zanabazar in the Choijin-Lama Temple
and master artist Zanabazar (1635-1723). Sculptures from Museum, Ulaanbaatarcat, no. 95; one sold at Lempertz Köln,
his atelier, which are commonly nished in the round, 15th December 2014, lot 583; and a larger gure depicting
are distinguished by their ne gilding, skillful rendering of the Panchen Lama, included in the exhibition Treasures from
movement, as seen in the robes, and their distinctive facial Mongolia, Barbara Mathes Gallery, New York, 2005, cat. no. 14,
characteristics that featured a high forehead, nely arched together with a gure depicting Zanabazar, cat. no. 8.
eyebrows and an aquiline nose. Seated cross-legged on a
sumptuous lotus throne, this gure depicts a Lama from $ 80,000-120,000
the Tibetan Gelupta school, who are known for their tall
pointed hats with long aps covering their ears. This gure’s
identi cation is a matter of speculation, although it may well
depict Zanabazar himself. According to historical texts, his
birth was foretold to his father two years before his actual birth
and acquired supernatural powers during his life. As such, he
was a popular gure and depicted in a variety of media.
60 SOTHEBY’S
