Two Buddha figures from Tibet were presented at Christie's last year, one in Hong Kong and one in New York. Recently, the auction house has revealed another similar figure that was up for auction in Paris and sold for €967,000 (US$1,118,400) with premium. Just like the sculptures sold previously, the figure became the top lot of the sale.

The Buddha figure sold at Christie’s Paris

The three figures were made between the 13th and 15th century yet they share similar craftsmanship and stylistic elements. All three figures show the buddha seated in the vajrasana posture recalling the moment when he attained liberation under the bodhi tree in Bodhgaya. His right hand is showing the bhumisparshamudra or earth-touching gesture. He is calling upon the earth to bear witness to the truth of his teachings and his victory over Mara, the god of desire, who had tried to distract him.

Left to right: Statue sold in Hong Kong, New York, Paris

Strong Nepalese sculptural style is present in all three figures as seen in their facial expressions. Their eyebrows stretch towards each other into the middle and combine into a thin, straight line which forms their tall noses. Above their smile is a short cupid’s bow, together with their stretched ear lobes, the figures depict the young Buddha Sakyamuni.

Left to right: Statue sold in Hong Kong, New York, Paris

Although all three figures are gilt-bronze, the two sold in Hong Kong and New York are inlaid with silver on the Buddha’s monastic robe, which brings their craftmanship to a higher level. The Hong Kong and New York figures (excluding the base) measure at about 40cm in height, whereas that in Paris measures only 46.5cm including the base.

The figure sold at Christie’s Paris

Bottom of the figure sold at Christie’s Paris

In terms of prices, the figure in Hong Kong sold for HK$50.9m (US$6.5m) and that in New York was sold at US$3.6m. This figure sold in Paris is priced at €967,000 (US$1.12m).

The second top lot of this sale is an ivory seal from the Ming dynasty. With a height of 8cm, the seal was sold with premium at €475,000, 4 times its estimate of €100,000 - 150,000. Due to the CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) laws against ivory trade, many countries have put strict control over the import and export of ivory. Thus, the ivory seal being sold at this price is more than satisfactory.

We have introduced before these two lots - a bronze Padmapan sculpture from the Rockefeller’s Collection and a blue and a Qianlong blue and white dish from Swiss collector Gustave Loup (1876-1961). They rank in the third and fourth place respectively in the sale.

The Padmapan sculpture, created from the 13th to 14th century, has a height of 18.8cm and belonged to John D. Rockefeller III (1906 -1978) previously. Its price realised is €367,000 (US$424,500).

The gilt on the sculpture is worn out, possibly due to the constant touching of believers in a devotional manner all these years.

The blue and white dish from the Qianlong period sold has a diameter of 44.7cm and a six-character seal mark of ‘Daqing Qianlong Nianzhi’ (made in the Qianlong period, Qing dynasty). It was sold for €343,000 (US$396,700). In the early 20th century, Swiss collector Gustave Loup bought the dish in China, and thence by descent in the family.

Top 4 lots

Rare et Importante Statue de Bouddha Shakyamuni en Bronze Dore, Tibet, Debut du Xveme Siecle

Lot no.: 212
Height: 46.5cm
Provenance:

• Bettini collection, France, collected before 1980.

• French private collection, Paris, 2001-2012, acquired from Galerie Jacques Barrère, Paris, 2001.

• Private collection, Singapore, 2012-2017.

Estimate: €300,000 - 500,000
Hammer price: €800,000
Price realised: €967,500

Rare et Important Cachet en Ivoire, Chine, Dynastie Qing, Marque a Six Caracteres en Cachet en Bleu Sous Couverte et Epoque Qianlong (1736-1795)

Lot no.: 125
Height: 8cm
Provenance: property from a French noble family
Estimate: €100,000 - 150,000
Hammer price: €390,000
Price realised: €475,500

Rare et Importante Statue de Bouddha Shakyamuni en Bronze Dore, Tibet, Debut du Xveme Siecle

Lot no.: 228
Height: 18.8cm

Provenance:

• Collection of Mr John D. Rockefeller III, sold Sotheby’s New York, 3 & 4 November 1977, lot 54.

Estimate: €300,000 - 500,000
Hammer price: €300,000
Price realised: €367,500

Rare et Important Plat en Porcelaine Bleu Blanc, Chine, Dynastie Qing, Marque a Six Caracteres en Cachet en Bleu Sous Couverte et Epoque Qianlong (1736-1795)

Lot no.: 83
Diameter: 44.7cm
Provenance: Acquired by Gustave Loup (1876-1961) in China in the early 20th century, thence by descent in the family.
Estimate: €300,000 - 500,000
Hammer price: €280,000
Price realised:€343,500

 

Auction summary

Auction house: Christie’s Paris
Sale: Art d'Asie
Sale date: 2018/6/13
Lots offered: 244
Sold: 189
Unsold: 55
Sold by lots: 77%
Sale total: €7,497,000