Page 32 - Bonhams March 22 2022 Indian and Himalayan Art NYC

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A COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF VAJRADHARA AND PRAJNAPARAMITA
QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY
Himalayan Art Resources item no.4537
6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm) high
$8,000 - 12,000

清 十八世紀 金剛總持與般若波羅蜜多雙身銅像

As the primordial Buddha, Vajradhara is the progenitor of the Vajrayana Buddhist universe. He
occupies the first rank in the Buddhist pantheon and is typically recognized as the first teacher
of a tantric lineage. Vajradhara represents the highest state of enlightenment, its abstract
perfection, and the sum of all Buddhist teachings. Sculptures of Vajradhara therefore serve as
secondary representations, reminding practitioners of the deity’s otherwise formless essence,
which is beyond human comprehension.

The present sculpture portrays him in union with Prajnaparamita, considered to be the mother
of all Buddhas. The quality of casting is evident in the crisply carved eyes and the nicely
modeled three-layered lotus petals. For other Qing-dynasty bronzes of the same subject, see
Bonhams, Hong Kong, 7 October 2019, lot 905, and Los Angeles, 18 December 2019, lot
673.

Provenance:
Collection of Harry Kleiner, since 1950s, by repute
Thence by descent to the current owner

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