Page 289 - Bonhams Chinese Art NYC Nov 9 2017

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The Guardian Kings, also referred to as the Four Heavenly Kings,
represent the first Indian gods incorporated into the Buddhist narrative.
The deities came before Shakyamuni Buddha just after he achieved
enlightenment under the bodhi tree, offering him bowls made of
sapphire or lapis lazuli. They reside on the innermost ring of islands
around Mount Sumeru, the centre of the idealised Buddhist and
Hindu worlds. Although primarily associated with the idea of Hinayana
Buddhism, the Four Kings are also found in Vajrayana Buddhism
as guardians of the outer rings of the mandalas. Virudhaka is the
Guardian King of the South. Dhiritarashra is the Guardian King of the
East. A similarly-sized gilt bronze figure of a guardian, 18th century,
was sold at Sotheby’s New York, 20 September 2007, lot 62.
229
A PAIR OF GILT-BRONZE TRIBUTE-BEARERS
Late Ming Dynasty
Cast standing on a pedestal supported by bracket feet, each modelled
as a dignitary dressed in long flowing robe, the hems chased with floral
hems, the hands and sleeves folded and presenting respectively a
rhinoceros horn and a vase.
Each 15.3cm (6in) high. (2).
£6,000 - 8,000
CNY53,000 - 71,000
明末 銅鎏金使臣進貢造像 一對

Provenance: Nagel Stuttgart, 20 October 2009, lot 553
A distinguished European private collection

來源：
2009年10月20日於德國斯圖加特納高拍賣，拍品553號
顯貴歐洲私人收藏 229

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. FINE CHINESE ART | 287