A magnificent gilt-copper alloy figure of Chakrasamvara made in 15th-century Tibet is the highlight of Bonhams Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art sale in New York on 14 September. It is estimated at $400,000 – 600,000.
The piece expresses one of the most important transcendental ideals in Buddhist art – the supreme bliss of enlightenment attained through the perfect union of wisdom and compassion – and is a masterpiece of Tibetan sculpture.
It is hoped that the auction will be well attended with a part of the evening’s activities being set aside to raise funds for those affected by the recent Nepalese earthquake.
Other rare pieces among the 123 lots include:
A silver and copper inlaid copper alloy figure of Gayadhara from Tibet, circa 15th century estimated at $100,000 - 150,000. It is one of the few known identified portraits of the Indian pandita, Gayadhara, an important Indian guru crucial to one of the most significant schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
A Tibetan copper alloy figure of Tara, Pala style, from the 12th century, estimated at $150,000 - 250,000. This gemlike bronze was created during a time of prolific cultural exchange between the Pala monastic universities of Bengal & Bihar and Central Tibet, known as the Chidar, or ‘Later Diffusion of the Faith’. This is a superior example of early Tibetan sculpture drawing inspiration from Eastern Indian Pala bronzes.
a group of Tibetan thangkas from the collection of the late Tibetan scholar Lobsang P. Lhalungpa. Among his collection is an exquisite thangka depicting Arhat Pindola Bhadravajra, one of Buddha’s four original disciples. A thangka from an arhat series: Pindola bharadvaja, Eastern Tibet, Palpung style, 18th century is estimated $20,000 - 30,000.
The Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust and Save the Children (both registered charities) will receive an equal share of the full hammer sale proceeds from this section and a donation from Bonhams.
