Page 14 - Indian, Himalaya and Asian Art Bonhams Setp 2015

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A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF SHAKYAMUNI WITH PRABHAMANDALA
Tibet, circa 15th century
Before an elaborate prabhamandala containing kinnaras with scrolling tails, rosettes and
flaming edge, Shakyamuni Buddha is seated in the attitude of bhumisparsa mudra.
Figure: 8 5/8 in. (21.9 cm) high; Prabhamandala: 15 in. (38.1 cm) high
$50,000 - 80,000
西藏 約十五世紀 銅鎏金釋迦牟尼背光坐像
The prabhamandala and Buddha appear to be original and the lower platform on which the
Buddha would have been set is now lost.
The prabhamandala relates closely to a Yongle mark and period example with an openwork cast
design held in the British Museum (OA 1908.4-20; see von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes,
Hong Kong, 1981, pp. 516-7, no. 144E). Their design, with bands of lotus stems, lotus scrolls,
and flames, is preceded by a 14th-century Nepalese Lakshminarayan (ibid., p. 360-1, no. 96D).
The figure and treatment of the lotus base compares favorably with a smaller Buddha
formerly in the collection of Berti Aschmann sold at Christie’s, New York, 13 September
2011, lot 314, and another sold 12 September 2012, lot 551. Rather than denoting
Akshobhya, the vajra set before the throne likely symbolizes the vajrasana: the historic site
of Buddha’s enlightenment at Bodhgaya.
Referenced
HAR - himalayanart.org/items/33011
Provenance
Dr. med. Gerd Wilhelm Krüger, by 1975
Thence by descent

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