Page 91 - Bonhams Indian and Himalayan Art March 2016 New York

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A GILT COPPER ALLOY VAJRABHAIRAVA RETINUE FIGURE
Qing, 18th century
The embracing fierce deities each with three faces and six arms
holding ritual choppers and skull bowls in their primary hands, his
arresting primary expression enhanced by pigments.
6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm) high
$15,000 - 20,000
清十八世紀 銅鎏金雙身佛像
This powerful sculpture would have origninally appeared as part of
a retinue for Vajrabhaiara called the ‘Ten Wrathful Ones’. With the
absence of some of his attributes, it is not possible to determine
which of the ten this is. However, the consort’s lower right hand holds
a sword hilt that is most commonly associated with Achala, who is
a member of the Vajrabhairava tantra. An almost identical sculpture,
mostly like from the same atelier and set, identified as Mahakala and
consort, sold Sotheby’s, Paris, 16 December 2015, lot 71.
Referenced
HAR - himalayanart.org/items/61424
Provenance
Private New England Collection, acquired 1970s

INDIAN, HIMALAYAN & SOUTHEAST ASIAN ART | 89