Page 108 - Bonhams NYC Indian and Himalayan Art March 2019

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A COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF VAJRASATTVA into which all enlightened beings dissolve. His name meaning “Vajra
TIBET, CIRCA 13TH CENTURY Being”, Vajrasattva is the Adi Buddha ascribed agency. He is frequently
Himalayan Art Resources item no.61918 invoked for purification rituals and as a bodhisattva. The Nyingma also
9 in. (23 cm) high treat him as a yidam. In certain instances, Vajrasattva is considered a
sixth Presiding Buddha, representing their ethereal unity.
$80,000 - 120,000
The bronze’s overall style and iconography closely follow classic
西藏 約十三世紀 金剛薩埵銅像 Pala models of 11th- to 12th-century Northeastern India known to
have inspired early Tibetan sculpture. Compared to one such Pala
Accurately depicting the Adi-Buddha according to prescribed Vajrasattva, the present bronze is modelled in an almost identical
iconography, this quite singular bronze figure of Vajrasattva is further seated posture with a sensuous bend in the waist (von Schroeder,
embellished with a number of rare and creative auspicious motifs. Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 2003, p.289, no.72E). Both
Surprising fine details are in abundance, including the many incised sculptures afford Vajrasattva elegant proportions and naturalistically
animals on the back of his thighs, and the tiny wolf-like creature running modelled fingers and toes. Both also reproduce Vajrasattva’s scarf
on the front left of the base’s foot. Additional floral motifs between the flailing upwards by his shoulder with ‘fishtail’ pleats.
base’s rear lotus petals, and Vajrasattva’s crown ribbons being tied in
an endless knot, are more enhancements that supplement Vajrasattva’s Meanwhile, the artist of this extraordinary Vajrasattva departs from
iconography, distinguishing this extraordinary example. the purely imitating Indian models by altering the facial type, crown
leaves, and lotus base. The downward-facing flower at the center of
From metaphysical debates on the multiplicity and unity of the base’s foot is similarly shown on a 13th-/14th-century gilt bronze
Buddhas, arises the notion of an Adi-Buddha: a primordial source of Buddha from the medieval Khasa Malla Kingdom of western Tibet and
enlightenment pervading the universe, from which all things come and Nepal (Bonhams, New York, 19 March 2018, lot 3019).

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