Page 114 - 2019 September 11th Christie's New York Chiense Art Himalayan bronzes and art

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE SWISS COLLECTION
353
A LARGE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF VAJRADHARA
TIBET, 14TH-15TH CENTURY
13¬ in. ( 34.6 cm.) high

$120,000-180,000

PROVENANCE
Yan Wing Arts Co., Hong Kong, 1991.

The heavenly embodiment of wisdom, Vajradhara, holds a ghanta (Tib. drilbu)
and vajra (Tib. dorje) in vajrahumkara mudra, representing his primordial
wisdom and mastery of skillful means. Vajradhara is understood as the secret
form of Buddha Shakyamuni and the combined essence of all buddhas. In
the highest form of tantric Tibetan Buddhist meditation, the fve Tathagatas
emanate from the body of Vajradhara.

The present form of this important meditational deity is depicted in a classical
Tibetan style, with elongated torso, turquoise ornaments, the face adorned
with cold gold, and with polychromy to the eyes, lips, and hair. The fgure’s
proportions, facial modeling, and ornamentation, including the-jewel topped
pile of hair and beaded arm bands, bear a great similarity to a ffteenth-century
gilt-bronze fgure of Vajradhara at the Newark Museum (acc. no. 70.5A).
Compare the crown ornaments, the delicate facial features, the lithe
physiognomy, attentuated waist and exuberant gilding and stone-inlay with
another gilt-bronze fgure of Vajradhara, ca. ffteenth century, sold at Christie’s
New York, 20 September 2000, lot 78.
Himalayan Art Resources, item no. 13478.

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