The 108 bronze sculptures of the Tibetan Buddhist Lineages have finally gone their separate ways after the hammer falls. The lot sold with the highest price is a group of six Sakya Lamdre lineage masters, at around 3.5 times of its low estimate. The lot sold with the 2nd highest price is a gilt copper alloy figure of Jigten Sumgon Rinchen Pel, while its low estimate also ranks 2nd in this sale. The lot with the highest estimate, a life-size gilt copper alloy repousse figure of a yogin, and the lot with the 3rd highest estimate, a large gilt copper alloy figure of a lama, were not sold at this auction.
The figure sold with the 3rd highest price is lot 3248. By comparing with thangkas, paintings and murals, experts found out that it is a figure of the 4th Druk Desi of Bhutan, Tenzin Rabgye. Among the 108 sculptures, this appears to be one of the truest portraits observed from real life. It would suggest a date for the bronze not too far from its subject’s lifetime, ending in 1698.
Top Lots
A GROUP OF SIX SAKYA LAMDRE LINEAGE MASTERS, TIBET, CIRCA 15TH CENTURY
Lot No.: 3262
Height: 13.5cm
Estimate: US$200,000 - 300,000
Sold: US$727,500
A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF JIGTEN SUMGON RINCHEN PEL, TIBET, 13TH CENTURY
Lot No.: 3236
Height: 23.3cm
Estimate: US$250,000 - 300,000
Sold: US$463,500
A LARGE GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF THE FOURTH DRUK DESI OF BHUTAN, TENZIN RABGYE, BHUTAN, LATE 17TH/18TH CENTURY
Lot No.: 3248
Height: 40cm
Estimate: US$150,000 - 200,000
Sold: US$391,500
Auction Summary
Auction House: Bonhams New York
Sale: PORTRAITS OF THE MASTERS 108 Bronze Sculptures of the Tibetan Buddhist Lineages
Sale No.: 24217
Date: 2017/3/14
Total Sales: US$6,760,125
Lots: 100
Sold: 87
Unsold: 13
Average Price per Sold Lot: US$77,703
Selling Rate: 87%
(prices include buyer's premium, unless otherwise stated)