Page 66 - Indian, Himalayan and Tibetan Art March 2018

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PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE SWISS COLLECTOR The superbly cast sculpture depicts the Dhyani Buddha
Vajradhara seated in vajraparyankasana; his hands crossed in
A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF VAJRADHARA
front of his chest in vajrahumkaramudra holding a ghanta in the
Tibet, 15th/16th Century left hand and a vajra in the right, signifying the union of wisdom
Height: 13 ⅜ in. (34 cm) and compassion. His ! ve-pronged crown represents the ! ve
qualities of Buddhahood. His long tresses are arranged in an
PROVENANCE elegant topknot surmounted by a vajra ! nial. He is adorned
Yan Wing Arts Co., Hong Kong, 1991-1995 (by repute). in a rich suite of accoutrements or bodhisattvabharana which
are further highlighted by a vibrant inlay of turquoise and lapis
$ 150,000-250,000 lazuli.
Vajradhara is revered as the primordial or Adi Buddha. His
mantra – aum ah Guru Vajradhara hum! – pays obeisance to
the one who embodies the highest level of Enlightenment.
The elongated torso with cinched waist and slender hips on
which the dhoti is worn low secured by a jeweled girdle is
reminiscent of earlier, Pala prototypes which constituted the
primary in$ uence for sculptural styles in Nepal and Tibet. See
Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet, vol. II, Hong
Kong, 2001, pl. 256 A and pl. 256C for fourteenth century
sculptures of Avalokiteshvara and Maitreya with similar slender
physiognomy.

(SIDE VIEW)

64 SOTHEBY’S