Page 16 - 2020 December 2 Bonhams Arts of Devotion bronzes and Stone carvings

1007
A BRASS FIGURE OF VAJRAPANI
TIBET, CIRCA 11TH CENTURY
Himalayan Art Resources item no.16908
30 cm (11 3/4 in.) high

HKD800,000 - 1,200,000
西藏 約十一世紀 金剛手菩薩銅像

The bronze depicts a rare and early form of Vajrapani, the Great Bodhisattva of
Power, in which he holds a ghanta—in addition to the eponymous vajra—and has
a peaceful attitude. The form is often misidentified as Vajrasattva. Two 11th-century
examples of this peaceful Vajrapani from West Tibet, displaying stylistic borrowings
from Kashmir, Northwestern India, are published in Beguin, Dieux et demons
de l’Himalaya, Paris, 1977, p.90, no.40 and von Schroeder, Buddhist Bronzes
in Tibet, Vol.I, Hong Kong, 2001, pp.73 & 167, fig.II-8 & no.47C. The present
sculpture was likely part of a triad depicting Manjushri flanked by Avalokiteshvara
and Vajrapani. Diminutive 11th-/12th-century examples of such triads from Central
Tibet, displaying stylistic borrowings from Pala, Northeastern India, are published
in Essen & Thingo, Die Gotter des Himalaya, Munich, 1990, p.82, fig.I-44 and von
Schroeder, Buddhist Bronzes in Tibet, Vol.II, Hong Kong, 2001, p.1139, no.296C.

Representing the primary protector of Buddhism and its followers, this charming
Vajrapani wears a long dhoti stippled with stylized rosettes secured to the waist by
a jeweled belt. His upper body is adorned with a patterned, diagonally-tied sash.
His hair has been gathered in graduated buns above his head, and he wears a
splendid foliated crown. Ribbons attached to the headdress flutter gracefully on
either side above his shoulders. With a gentle, engaging smile on his finely outlined
lips, a straight nose, eyes slightly downcast, and urna centering his forehead, the
bodhisattva has a benevolent and noble countenance.

Stylistically, the bronze can be attributed to Central Tibet because it shows more
borrowings from Pala art than Kashmir. For instance, Pala’s five-leaf crown has
been adopted, rather than Kashmir’s three-leaf. The heavy-lidded eyes are also
redolent of Pala art. The beaded belt with looped festoons is inspired by Pala
sculptures in Tibet from Northeastern India, such as von Schroeder, Buddhist
Bronzes in Tibet, Vol.I, Hong Kong, 2001, p.309, no.105C.

Provenance
Private European Collection, acquired in 1973

14 | BONHAMS