Bonhams’ Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art sale realised a mediocre sell-through rate of 51.8%, selling only 85 of all 164 lots offered. The total hammer price of US$3.28m was far from the sum of low estimate of US$5.2m. Four out of five top lots fell to Tibetan figures, including the leading gilt copper alloy figure of Panjaranata Mahakala, Tibet, circa 17th century, which was sold for US$980,075.
A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Panjaranata Mahakala. Tibet, Circa 17th Century
A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Panjaranata Mahakala. Tibet, Circa 17th Century
Mahakala is a category of Tantric Buddhist deity who commonly functions as a protector of the religion and its followers (Dharmapala). It comes in different manifestations with the most notable variation in the numbers of arms. Six-armed Mahakala, four-armed Mahakala and two-armed Mahakala are some common manifestations. Mahakala is usually depicted with dark-blue or even black colours.
A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Panjaranata Mahakala. Tibet, Circa 17th Century
Known as "Lord of the Pavilion", this two-armed form of Mahakala is the guardian of the Hevajra Tantra. The Hevajra Tantra is mainly practised by the Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism, and thus Panjaranata is considered the Sakya's principal protector deity as well.
Estimated at US$800,000-1.2m, the figure of Mahakala was hammered down at US$800,000 and sold for US$980,075 (premium included).
A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Bhurkumkuta. Central Tibet, 15th Century
The second top lot was a gilt copper alloy figure of Bhurkumkuta, Central Tibet, 15th century. Bhurkumkuta is a healing deity worshipped for eradicating a practitioner's disease. Carrying an estimate of US$200,000-300,000, the figure of Bhurkumkuta was hammered down at US$280,000 and sold for US$350,075 (premium included).
A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Bhurkumkuta. Central Tibet, 15th Century
Bhurkumkuta's fierce imagery serves to convey his assured capacity to eviscerate personal afflictions. Standing firmly in a pratyalidha pose with hands aloft menacingly, his ferocity is vividly captured with a roaring mouth, flamelike eyebrows, moustache and blazing red hair. He holds a visvajra (a double thunderbolt scepter) and vajra, which is symbolic of the immutable quality of the spiritual truth revealed by Shakyamuni.
The sculpture has incorporated key elements of early Ming imperial style. The sculptor's choice of representing this Bhurkumkuta's fine jewelry without inlaid semiprecious stones follows a convention set by the Yongle imperial style. Additionally, the depiction of Bhurkumkuta's scarf swirling in small loops between his torso and arms perfectly balances the sculptural composition.
A Polychromed Copper Alloy Chakrasamvara Mandala. Northeastern India and China, Pala and Qianlong Periods, Qianlong Mark, 12th and 18th Century
The third top lot was a polychromed copper alloy Chakrasamvara Mandala from the Northeastern India and China, Pala and Qianlong periods. It was hammered down at US$260,000 and sold for US$$325,075, surpassing its estimate of US$180,000-220,000. The sculpture represents a lotus mandala symbolizing the celestial abode of Chakrasamvara.
A Polychromed Copper Alloy Chakrasamvara Mandala. Northeastern India and China, Pala and Qianlong Periods, Qianlong Mark, 12th and 18th Century
A Polychromed Copper Alloy Chakrasamvara Mandala. Northeastern India and China, Pala and Qianlong Periods, Qianlong Mark, 12th and 18th Century
Mandalas are ubiquitous throughout Tantric Buddhist art, though most are painted two-dimensionally or temporarily created with sand. At the center of this lotus mandala, when opened, the artist has cast a delicate gilded image of Chakrasamvara embracing his consort Vajravarahi. The divine couple is surrounded by eight dancing yoginis cast on the interior of each hinged lotus petal. When retracted to enclose the deities within their transcendent realm, the exterior of the lotus petals depict eight mahasiddhas in cremation grounds, perfecting their transformative Buddhist practice in these potent liminal spaces.
A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Tara Tibet, Densatil Style, Circa 14th Century｜Bought-in
A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Ratnasambhava, Central Tibet, 14th/15th century｜Bought-in
Several high-valued lots failed to sell at the sale, including a gilt copper alloy figure of Tara Tibet, densatil style, circa 14th century (estimate: US$200,000-300,000) and a gilt copper alloy figure of Ratnasambhava, Central Tibet, 14th/15th century (estimate: US$180,000-220,000).
Top five lots
A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Panjaranata Mahakala
Tibet, Circa 17th Century
Lot no.: 928
Height: 27.5cm
Provenance:
Sotheby's, New York, 17 June 1993, lot 24
Estimate: US$800,000 - 1,200,000
Hammer price: US$800,000
Price realised: US$980,075
A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Bhurkumkuta
Central Tibet, 15th Century
Lot no.: 947
Height: 13.9cm
Provenance:
- The Nyingjei Lam Collection, Hong Kong
- On loan to the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1996–2005
- On loan to the Rubin Museum of Art, New York 2005-2018
Estimate: US$200,000-300,000
Hammer price: US$280,000
Price realised: US$350,075
A Polychromed Copper Alloy Chakrasamvara Mandala
Northeastern India and China, Pala and Qianlong Periods, Qianlong Mark, 12th and 18th Century
Lot no.: 908
Height: 13.3cm
Estimate: US$180,000-220,000
Hammer price: US$260,000
Price realised: US$325,075
A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Kapaladhara Hevajra
Central Tibet, Circa 1430-1450
Lot no.: 924
Height: 19.5cm
Provenance:
- Private Swiss Collection, purchased in Nepal in 1960s
- Koller, Zurich, 2 and 3 June 2015, lot 120
Estimate: US$250,000 - 350,000
Hammer price: US$220,000
Price realised: US$275,075
A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Chakrasamvara
Central Tibet, 15th Century
Lot no.: 919
Height: 25.4cm
Provenance:
- Christie's, London, 6 May 1975, lot 50
- Phillip Goldman Collection, 1975-2002
- Sotheby's, New York, 21 March 2002, lot 161
- Private Wisconsin Collection
Estimate: US$200,000-300,000
Hammer price:US$180,000
Price realised: US$225,075
Auction details
Auction house: Bonhams New York
Sale: Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art
Lots offered: 164
Sold: 85
Unsold: 79
Sold by lot: 51.8%
Auction date: 19 March｜5pm