Page 56 - 2020 December 2 Bonhams Arts of Devotion bronzes and Stone carvings

1026
A GILT COPPER ALLOY REPOUSSÉ FIGURE OF BUDDHA
QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY
Himalayan Art Resources item no.16904
35 cm (13 3/4 in.) high

HKD500,000 - 700,000
清 十八世紀 銅鎏金錘揲佛陀像

The bronze depicts Buddha with his hands in the gesture of ‘Progressing the
Dharma’ (dharmachakrapavartina). His applied rondel earrings, pursed lips, and
angular features are idiomatic of Buddhist bronzes produced under the Qing
dynasty, particularly in the 18th century. Similarly, his robe is given much attention,
pronounced in relatively high-relief from his body with a double lining over the left
shoulder and chasing along the hems with the large flower-heads and stamens
flanked by curling leaves.

The sculpture’s rich gilding, fine chasing, and size are indicative of repoussé
sculpture produced by the imperially appointed workshops of Dolonnor in Inner
Mongolia under the Qing dynasty. The almost rectangular lotus petals, with
abstracted ruyi-like embellished tips and curling split sides, follows a popular
format under the Kangxi reign, exemplified by a Buddha dated 1662 (von
Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1981, p.541, no.152E).

Provenance
Collection of Axel Benzler (1891–1976), Sweden, acquired in Russia
Acquired in Russia while Axel Benzler lived there between 1911–18 and again
between 1921–29
Uppsala Auktionskammare, Uppsala, 7-10 June 2017, lot 1438.
Private American Collection

54 | BONHAMS