asian religions
1900 years ago - the buddhist canon
2015 sold for $ 1.09m including premium
We will never see what was the true appearance of Gautama Buddha. The first centuries of Buddhism were aniconic, meaning that the votive stones were marked with symbols and not with figurations.
Everything changes five and a half centuries after the life of the founder. The figure of Buddha becomes the expression of perfection. Like any human being, Buddha must be recognizable. A council sets the 32 main characteristics of the representation of Buddha.
This canon is immediately applied in stone sculpture, and then in gold coins. Both arts are familiar to the Greek civilization still influential in the neighboring regions of the Indian subcontinent, including Gandhara.
Kanishka was the great emperor of the Kushan dynasty in North India. He had his main capital at Peshawar in Gandhara and another one at Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. His reign lasted a quarter century about 1900 years ago. Kanishka was a zealous sponsor of Buddhism at the time when the Han opened the Silk Road.
On September 15 in New York, Christie's sells at lot 66 an early figure of standing Buddha of large size, 1.37 m high, in splendid condition.
It was carved in a mottled red sandstone from the Mathura region and belongs to a group certainly attributable to a royal workshop for which all elements converge to the reign of Kanishka, such as the inscriptions on similar pieces and the comparison of the attitude of Buddha with the reverse of the gold coins of the emperor.
The kaparda is a characteristic of this group. This is a specific shape of the protrusion of wisdom that overcomes the shaved head of Buddha.
The execution of this specimen is of extreme care, with the aim of providing a naturalistic vision that will make the character appealing to the faithful. The artist represented the thin pleated garment as a bulge above the skin and not by the classical incision that was much easier to achieve.
In its category, this sculpture is "a masterpiece among masterpieces" in the wording used by Christie's at the conclusion of the catalog description.
Everything changes five and a half centuries after the life of the founder. The figure of Buddha becomes the expression of perfection. Like any human being, Buddha must be recognizable. A council sets the 32 main characteristics of the representation of Buddha.
This canon is immediately applied in stone sculpture, and then in gold coins. Both arts are familiar to the Greek civilization still influential in the neighboring regions of the Indian subcontinent, including Gandhara.
Kanishka was the great emperor of the Kushan dynasty in North India. He had his main capital at Peshawar in Gandhara and another one at Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. His reign lasted a quarter century about 1900 years ago. Kanishka was a zealous sponsor of Buddhism at the time when the Han opened the Silk Road.
On September 15 in New York, Christie's sells at lot 66 an early figure of standing Buddha of large size, 1.37 m high, in splendid condition.
It was carved in a mottled red sandstone from the Mathura region and belongs to a group certainly attributable to a royal workshop for which all elements converge to the reign of Kanishka, such as the inscriptions on similar pieces and the comparison of the attitude of Buddha with the reverse of the gold coins of the emperor.
The kaparda is a characteristic of this group. This is a specific shape of the protrusion of wisdom that overcomes the shaved head of Buddha.
The execution of this specimen is of extreme care, with the aim of providing a naturalistic vision that will make the character appealing to the faithful. The artist represented the thin pleated garment as a bulge above the skin and not by the classical incision that was much easier to achieve.
In its category, this sculpture is "a masterpiece among masterpieces" in the wording used by Christie's at the conclusion of the catalog description.
THE ATLAS OF GANDHARA
2009 SOLD 170 K$ INCLUDING PREMIUM
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
It can be said of today's art that it is international. This is not really new: 1800 years ago, in Gandhara, same comment applied.
Gandhara was a transition zone between Persia and Central Asia, near Bactria and Kashmir. Located in the upper basin of the Indus, its main town was Peshawar. After the expedition of Alexander the Great, the region experienced a sustainable Hellenistic influence, which did not stop when it converted to Buddhism.
The schist statues from Gandhara are very common. They are most often showing Buddhist figures, so offering some of the oldest elements of Buddhist art. Therefore, our curiosity is attracted by the unusual subject presented byChristie's in New York on March 20: a winged Atlas, polished gray schist 40 cm high, estimated 120 K $.
It is a naked man crouched on one knee, very muscular as it is needed for his exhausting mission through which our planet has not collapsed in the cosmos. The realistic and relaxed head is decorated with a large circled beard and with hair of the same pattern.
Despite the rather Greek attributes of this hero, Buddhism is not far away. The catalog tells us that it was probably an ornament at the base of a Buddhist monument. The wings are the symbols of victory according to an Indian influence.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is interesting. It rewards the originality and the old time of this sculpture: K $ 170 inclusive.
It can be said of today's art that it is international. This is not really new: 1800 years ago, in Gandhara, same comment applied.
Gandhara was a transition zone between Persia and Central Asia, near Bactria and Kashmir. Located in the upper basin of the Indus, its main town was Peshawar. After the expedition of Alexander the Great, the region experienced a sustainable Hellenistic influence, which did not stop when it converted to Buddhism.
The schist statues from Gandhara are very common. They are most often showing Buddhist figures, so offering some of the oldest elements of Buddhist art. Therefore, our curiosity is attracted by the unusual subject presented byChristie's in New York on March 20: a winged Atlas, polished gray schist 40 cm high, estimated 120 K $.
It is a naked man crouched on one knee, very muscular as it is needed for his exhausting mission through which our planet has not collapsed in the cosmos. The realistic and relaxed head is decorated with a large circled beard and with hair of the same pattern.
Despite the rather Greek attributes of this hero, Buddhism is not far away. The catalog tells us that it was probably an ornament at the base of a Buddhist monument. The wings are the symbols of victory according to an Indian influence.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is interesting. It rewards the originality and the old time of this sculpture: K $ 170 inclusive.
the buddhist caves of the wei
2018 unsold
The fragmentation of China after the fall of the Han opens the way to foreign invasions for the conquest of power and also for religion. The Wei dynasty that reigns in a sustainable way over Northern China is of Turkish origin. As much later the Mongol Yuan or the Manchu Qing, the Wei emperors are gradually opting for a sinification. Their barbarian elites are grumbling.
Buddhism has become a powerful alternative to Taoism. After the failure of their early policy of persecutions, the Wei decide to control it by gathering the faithful in gigantic artificial grottoes that are suitable for meditation. Created from 460 CE near Datong, the Yungang caves will be extended over time to 53 rooms.
The transfer of the Wei capital from Datong to Luoyang results in the excavation of the new Longmen network of sanctuaries from 494 CE. The destruction of the new capital thirty years later does not interrupt this religious development.
On March 20 in New York, Sotheby's sells a limestone relief 59 cm high, lot 201 estimated $ 1.2M. Unusually this rare piece is easier to date than to identify.
The finely chiseled character has the attitude of meditation with closed eyes, ecstatic smile, palms of the hands joining upwards and a knee on the ground. The lotus buds near the head symbolize purity. The sweetness of the asexual face is an iconography present in the Gongxian caves also created by the latest Northern Wei. An apsara of the same period on a Longmen wall has a similar position.
This figure is classified for convenience among the Apsaras but does not display the classic attributes of these divine nymphs. Who is he or she ? Not a Buddha. Probably not a bodhisattva due to the absence of offering symbols in the hands. Perhaps just the idealized image of a donor.
It is part of a collection of four pre-Tang Buddhist stones that are introduced in the video below.
Buddhism has become a powerful alternative to Taoism. After the failure of their early policy of persecutions, the Wei decide to control it by gathering the faithful in gigantic artificial grottoes that are suitable for meditation. Created from 460 CE near Datong, the Yungang caves will be extended over time to 53 rooms.
The transfer of the Wei capital from Datong to Luoyang results in the excavation of the new Longmen network of sanctuaries from 494 CE. The destruction of the new capital thirty years later does not interrupt this religious development.
On March 20 in New York, Sotheby's sells a limestone relief 59 cm high, lot 201 estimated $ 1.2M. Unusually this rare piece is easier to date than to identify.
The finely chiseled character has the attitude of meditation with closed eyes, ecstatic smile, palms of the hands joining upwards and a knee on the ground. The lotus buds near the head symbolize purity. The sweetness of the asexual face is an iconography present in the Gongxian caves also created by the latest Northern Wei. An apsara of the same period on a Longmen wall has a similar position.
This figure is classified for convenience among the Apsaras but does not display the classic attributes of these divine nymphs. Who is he or she ? Not a Buddha. Probably not a bodhisattva due to the absence of offering symbols in the hands. Perhaps just the idealized image of a donor.
It is part of a collection of four pre-Tang Buddhist stones that are introduced in the video below.
Auction Preview: Jingyatang: Treasures of Chinese Buddhist Sculpture at Sotheby’s, New York on Mar 20https://t.co/1LXZJoOA7A#Blouin_Artinfo #Blouin #Artinfo pic.twitter.com/d37uDaq19M
— BLOUIN ARTINFO (@artinfodotcom) February 26, 2018
535 smile and aureole
2015 unsold
The introduction of Buddhism in China is the result of two major events. The opening of the Silk Road by the Han creates cultural and trading exchanges with India. The dynastic anarchy following the fall of the Han enables the Buddhism to become the official religion in some local kingdoms.
The Wei emperors are great protectors of Buddhism, practiced in hundreds of luxurious temples in and around their capital Luoyang. The altar figures must be perfect. The appreciation of the considerable expansion of Buddhist art under the Wei is linked to the discovery in 1996 of the treasure of Qingzhou, 400 statues hidden under the Song in order to stop the growth of that religion.
On September 16 in New York, Sotheby's sells an antique limestone figure of Buddha 97 cm high, probably made in the transition between the Northern Wei and the Eastern Wei 1480 years ago. This undamaged piece in superb condition is estimated $ 800K, lot 422.
Buddha standing on the lotus expresses peace and happiness through his serene smile, his half closed eyes and his raised right hand while the left hand gives a blessing. His ushnisha is a hair bun and not a bulging flesh, confirming that the main message from this figure is not wisdom.
It was carved in the round before a leaf shaped mandorla that allowed the artist to position behind his head an aureole embellished with radiant patterns, accentuating the mystical splendor.
The Wei emperors are great protectors of Buddhism, practiced in hundreds of luxurious temples in and around their capital Luoyang. The altar figures must be perfect. The appreciation of the considerable expansion of Buddhist art under the Wei is linked to the discovery in 1996 of the treasure of Qingzhou, 400 statues hidden under the Song in order to stop the growth of that religion.
On September 16 in New York, Sotheby's sells an antique limestone figure of Buddha 97 cm high, probably made in the transition between the Northern Wei and the Eastern Wei 1480 years ago. This undamaged piece in superb condition is estimated $ 800K, lot 422.
Buddha standing on the lotus expresses peace and happiness through his serene smile, his half closed eyes and his raised right hand while the left hand gives a blessing. His ushnisha is a hair bun and not a bulging flesh, confirming that the main message from this figure is not wisdom.
It was carved in the round before a leaf shaped mandorla that allowed the artist to position behind his head an aureole embellished with radiant patterns, accentuating the mystical splendor.
574 IN THE FIFTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF WUPING
2009 SOLD 68 K$ INCLUDING PREMIUM
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
Today we go deep into the history of China up to a time of great chaos. China was divided into five main kingdoms that were fighting one another. The emperors were weak and superstitious, their followers were agitated and corrupt.
On September 14 in New York, Christie's sells a Buddhist votive stele in limestone. This monument is dedicated to the parents of the benefactor, and dated on the third month of the fifth year of King Wuping of the Northern Qidynasty. It is exceptional that such an early work is so accurately dated.
Since immemorial time, most peoples were recording their calendar according to the reign years of their kings. We are here in the year 574 of the current reference calendar.
This cubic stele, 84 cm high, takes the form of a two parts pagoda topped with a tiled roof. Its four sides are ornated with niches carved with scenes showing Buddha and his disciples. This object is truly characteristic of its time, because this type of stele was already out of fashion during the Sui dynasty. I have described in my previous article in this group how the Sui used Buddhism to strengthen their domination over the whole of China.
Our beautiful survivor of the dark ages is estimated 70 K$.
POST SALE COMMENT
Sold $ 68 K cost included. A price slightly below the estimate, showing that this historically interesting lot did not generate passions. This is not surprising for such an atypical piece.
Today we go deep into the history of China up to a time of great chaos. China was divided into five main kingdoms that were fighting one another. The emperors were weak and superstitious, their followers were agitated and corrupt.
On September 14 in New York, Christie's sells a Buddhist votive stele in limestone. This monument is dedicated to the parents of the benefactor, and dated on the third month of the fifth year of King Wuping of the Northern Qidynasty. It is exceptional that such an early work is so accurately dated.
Since immemorial time, most peoples were recording their calendar according to the reign years of their kings. We are here in the year 574 of the current reference calendar.
This cubic stele, 84 cm high, takes the form of a two parts pagoda topped with a tiled roof. Its four sides are ornated with niches carved with scenes showing Buddha and his disciples. This object is truly characteristic of its time, because this type of stele was already out of fashion during the Sui dynasty. I have described in my previous article in this group how the Sui used Buddhism to strengthen their domination over the whole of China.
Our beautiful survivor of the dark ages is estimated 70 K$.
POST SALE COMMENT
Sold $ 68 K cost included. A price slightly below the estimate, showing that this historically interesting lot did not generate passions. This is not surprising for such an atypical piece.
576 an early figure of guanyin
2015 UNSOLD
2,000 years ago, Buddhism got rid of its aniconic phase and provided to the faithful the ideal figure of Buddha in a cannon that has remained valid ever since. Buddha expressed the extreme wisdom and showed that it could be attained in earthly life. Now that the anthropomorphic figuration was accepted, Buddha could not stay alone.
After Buddha, the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara was one of the earliest figures. He had to be known and recognized by worshipers for his role to establish communication between the Buddhist pantheon and the believers. For this mission of accessibility and compassion, Avalokiteshvara is charming, dignified, well dressed and even wealthy with many jewelry ornaments carved in the stone.
On September 16 in New York, Sotheby's sells an archaic Avalokiteshvara made in the Northern Qi Dynasty, which had been listed by the same auction house with a too high estimate in Hong Kong on October 8, 2013, lot 139.
This large sandstone sculpture 148 cm high shows the bodhisattva standing over a stele which is flanked by two lions and driven by a turtle. The use of an inscribed and dated stele is very common in this dynasty. The figure was dedicated on the 9th day of the 1st month of the 7th year of Wuping, corresponding to 576 in our calendar.
It is in good condition excepted that the forearms are missing and a lion is broken. It is estimated $ 800K, lot 424.
In China, Avalokiteshvara is known as Guanyin. This Guanyin from the Qi looks like a man without breast protuberance. He is therefore earlier than the feminization of the bodhisattva in China, which will be a consequence of his attributes of charm and elegance. This disturbing sexual duality that does not extend up to hermaphroditism loses its mystery when considering that the Buddhist figures express virtues instead of characters.
After Buddha, the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara was one of the earliest figures. He had to be known and recognized by worshipers for his role to establish communication between the Buddhist pantheon and the believers. For this mission of accessibility and compassion, Avalokiteshvara is charming, dignified, well dressed and even wealthy with many jewelry ornaments carved in the stone.
On September 16 in New York, Sotheby's sells an archaic Avalokiteshvara made in the Northern Qi Dynasty, which had been listed by the same auction house with a too high estimate in Hong Kong on October 8, 2013, lot 139.
This large sandstone sculpture 148 cm high shows the bodhisattva standing over a stele which is flanked by two lions and driven by a turtle. The use of an inscribed and dated stele is very common in this dynasty. The figure was dedicated on the 9th day of the 1st month of the 7th year of Wuping, corresponding to 576 in our calendar.
It is in good condition excepted that the forearms are missing and a lion is broken. It is estimated $ 800K, lot 424.
In China, Avalokiteshvara is known as Guanyin. This Guanyin from the Qi looks like a man without breast protuberance. He is therefore earlier than the feminization of the bodhisattva in China, which will be a consequence of his attributes of charm and elegance. This disturbing sexual duality that does not extend up to hermaphroditism loses its mystery when considering that the Buddhist figures express virtues instead of characters.
BUDDHIST SURVIVAL IN GANDHARA
2013 SOLD 720 K$ INCLUDING PREMIUM
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
The Gandhara region was an area of peaceful meeting and mixing between the cultures of Europe and Asia. Buddhismwas thriving there, and the Greeks were too far from their bases to form a political threat. The stone statues ofGandhara constitute a rich and varied promotional art for the various aspects of Buddhist devotion.
The breakpoint to the Greco-Buddhist culture was blown 1550 years ago by the invasion of the Hephthalite Huns who did not support Buddhism. Faced with the rise of Hinduism, Buddhists survived in small and discrete communitiesconstantly threatened with eviction.
Their art was completely transformed, not in the subject matter but by the realization of small bronzes very originalfor their time, less fragile than stucco and less heavy than schist.
Two of these statuettes are for sale on March 19 at Christie's in New York. Each one is estimated $ 500K.
Made 1400 years ago, one of them 36 cm high shows Buddha in a halo of clouds. A band of flying geese symbolizesreincarnation.
The other bronze is a rare image of Buddha in transition between childhood and adolescence, the eyes inlaid with silver. The character is also presented here in a halo of clouds. 49 cm high, made in Gandhara or Kashmir, it comes from no more than a few decades later.
POST SALE COMMENT
Successful sale for the two rare bronzes from Gandhara. The youthful Buddha was sold $ 720K and the other one, probably the earlier, $ 600K. These prices include premium.
The Gandhara region was an area of peaceful meeting and mixing between the cultures of Europe and Asia. Buddhismwas thriving there, and the Greeks were too far from their bases to form a political threat. The stone statues ofGandhara constitute a rich and varied promotional art for the various aspects of Buddhist devotion.
The breakpoint to the Greco-Buddhist culture was blown 1550 years ago by the invasion of the Hephthalite Huns who did not support Buddhism. Faced with the rise of Hinduism, Buddhists survived in small and discrete communitiesconstantly threatened with eviction.
Their art was completely transformed, not in the subject matter but by the realization of small bronzes very originalfor their time, less fragile than stucco and less heavy than schist.
Two of these statuettes are for sale on March 19 at Christie's in New York. Each one is estimated $ 500K.
Made 1400 years ago, one of them 36 cm high shows Buddha in a halo of clouds. A band of flying geese symbolizesreincarnation.
The other bronze is a rare image of Buddha in transition between childhood and adolescence, the eyes inlaid with silver. The character is also presented here in a halo of clouds. 49 cm high, made in Gandhara or Kashmir, it comes from no more than a few decades later.
POST SALE COMMENT
Successful sale for the two rare bronzes from Gandhara. The youthful Buddha was sold $ 720K and the other one, probably the earlier, $ 600K. These prices include premium.
BUDDHISM FOR THE SUI
2009 SOLD 730 K€ INCLUDING PREMIUM
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
Anarchy reigned in China since the fall of the Han, when a general of the North managed to conquer the kingdoms of the South, founding the Sui Dynasty. Realizing that military dominance was not sufficient to ensure the cohesion of the Empire, he converted to the religion that was already usual in the territories that he had conquered: Buddhism.
The Sui dynasty failed to maintain, but its social and cultural contributions prepared the prosperity of their successors, the Tang.
On June 11 in Paris, Sotheby's is selling a Sui figure, which represents an early witness of Chinese Buddhism. 1400 years old, 1.40 m high, in gray limestone, it shows a standing Buddha. The half closed eyes and the mouth that initiates a smile reflect serenity. The front is marked by the urna, the third eye of gods and saints which symbolizes knowledge. It is estimated 500 K €.
POST SALE COMMENT
This statue was sold 730 K € premium included, in the upper range of estimates. This price is logical for an archaeological rarity, especially since this example was large.
Anarchy reigned in China since the fall of the Han, when a general of the North managed to conquer the kingdoms of the South, founding the Sui Dynasty. Realizing that military dominance was not sufficient to ensure the cohesion of the Empire, he converted to the religion that was already usual in the territories that he had conquered: Buddhism.
The Sui dynasty failed to maintain, but its social and cultural contributions prepared the prosperity of their successors, the Tang.
On June 11 in Paris, Sotheby's is selling a Sui figure, which represents an early witness of Chinese Buddhism. 1400 years old, 1.40 m high, in gray limestone, it shows a standing Buddha. The half closed eyes and the mouth that initiates a smile reflect serenity. The front is marked by the urna, the third eye of gods and saints which symbolizes knowledge. It is estimated 500 K €.
POST SALE COMMENT
This statue was sold 730 K € premium included, in the upper range of estimates. This price is logical for an archaeological rarity, especially since this example was large.
Sui-Tang Transition - The Buddha of the End of Time
2018 unsold
According to prophecies from about 1800 years ago, the teaching of the Sakyamuni Buddha will one day be forgotten, creating a period of anarchy and misery. Peace, happiness and abundance will be restored by the Maitreya Buddha which means "benevolent" in Sanskrit. While waiting for his glorious reign Maitreya is a bodhisattva.
The cult of Maitreya grows with millennial superstitions, a thousand years after the historical preaching of Gautama Buddha. The first emperor of the Sui dynasty cleverly relies on Buddhism to unify China. The images of Sakyamuni and Maitreya are often undifferentiated.
The Sui regime is a military theocracy. The emperor uses arms to eliminate those who do not follow his own conception of Buddhist orthodoxy. We are already far away from the moral principles of this religion.
His son and successor is a megalomaniac who wants to conquer Viet-Nam and Korea with huge armies of conscripts. He fails miserably and the surviving troops return with malaria. The peasant revolts that erupt throughout the country put an end to the unity of the Sui empire. The apocalyptic atmosphere is conducive to a renewed favor of the Maitreya cult. More concretely, order and unification are not restored by the deity but by a skilled general who founds the Tang dynasty.
On May 30 in Hong Kong, Christie's sells as lot 2801 a gilded bronze figure of Maitreya Buddha made during the Sui-Tang transition about 1400 years ago. The future redeemer makes the gesture of preaching in a smiling attitude of pacification. He is sitting, each foot resting on a lotus.
Between Han and Tang the sculpture is dominated by stone. The gilded bronze is rarer, chosen to simulate by its reflections the light emanating from the divinity. Its height of 32 cm appears as a limit of feasibility of this technique at that time.
Please watch the video shared by Christie's.
The cult of Maitreya grows with millennial superstitions, a thousand years after the historical preaching of Gautama Buddha. The first emperor of the Sui dynasty cleverly relies on Buddhism to unify China. The images of Sakyamuni and Maitreya are often undifferentiated.
The Sui regime is a military theocracy. The emperor uses arms to eliminate those who do not follow his own conception of Buddhist orthodoxy. We are already far away from the moral principles of this religion.
His son and successor is a megalomaniac who wants to conquer Viet-Nam and Korea with huge armies of conscripts. He fails miserably and the surviving troops return with malaria. The peasant revolts that erupt throughout the country put an end to the unity of the Sui empire. The apocalyptic atmosphere is conducive to a renewed favor of the Maitreya cult. More concretely, order and unification are not restored by the deity but by a skilled general who founds the Tang dynasty.
On May 30 in Hong Kong, Christie's sells as lot 2801 a gilded bronze figure of Maitreya Buddha made during the Sui-Tang transition about 1400 years ago. The future redeemer makes the gesture of preaching in a smiling attitude of pacification. He is sitting, each foot resting on a lotus.
Between Han and Tang the sculpture is dominated by stone. The gilded bronze is rarer, chosen to simulate by its reflections the light emanating from the divinity. Its height of 32 cm appears as a limit of feasibility of this technique at that time.
Please watch the video shared by Christie's.
tang - the sands of tianlongshan
2016 unsold
The sandstone is an aggregate of sand which returns to dust as a result of wear and weather. It is otherwise easy to carve with a great sharpness. It was a preferred stone of the first Buddhist sculptors who were committed to create naturalistic and appealing figures to meet the strict rules of their canon.
The ephemeral dynasty of the Northern Qi reigning 1450 years ago started the preparation of Buddhist temples in caves that were dug into the rock in Tianlongshan, the mountain of the heavenly dragon, not far from their capital in the Shanxi. This development has been continued and expanded by the Tang.
25 grottoes were discovered in Tianlongshan with a total of 1,144 reliefs carved directly into the wall complemented by about 1,500 statues in the round. These sculptures mark the culmination of the sensual and flexible Buddhist figuration under the Tang.
A Bodhisattva in sandstone 60 cm high surfaced in 1941 in the C.T. Loo collection. Despite the fragility of the stone, it is complete and in a sensational condition. It has all the characteristics of the Tang statues with a similar attitude and face line as other figures excavated at Tianlongshan. It will be sold on October 5 by Sotheby's in Hong Kong, lot 3602.
The ephemeral dynasty of the Northern Qi reigning 1450 years ago started the preparation of Buddhist temples in caves that were dug into the rock in Tianlongshan, the mountain of the heavenly dragon, not far from their capital in the Shanxi. This development has been continued and expanded by the Tang.
25 grottoes were discovered in Tianlongshan with a total of 1,144 reliefs carved directly into the wall complemented by about 1,500 statues in the round. These sculptures mark the culmination of the sensual and flexible Buddhist figuration under the Tang.
A Bodhisattva in sandstone 60 cm high surfaced in 1941 in the C.T. Loo collection. Despite the fragility of the stone, it is complete and in a sensational condition. It has all the characteristics of the Tang statues with a similar attitude and face line as other figures excavated at Tianlongshan. It will be sold on October 5 by Sotheby's in Hong Kong, lot 3602.
AMBIGUOUS AVALOKITESHVARA
2014 UNSOLD
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
It can still happen that a statue of Buddhist art is too unusual to find its place in the chronologies. This is the case of a large figure of Avalokiteshvara in massive gilt bronze 61 cm high, for sale by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 8, estimated HK $ 30M, lot 81 in the catalog.
Its Chinese origin is not questioned by the auction house. It is later to the Tang. It is also necessarily preceding Yongle. The Ming emperor managed a standardization of the Buddhist picture now stripped of fanciful symbols to better express perfection and purity. So being positioned midway between Tang and Ming but without a similarity to Yuan art, this artwork was executed at the time when the major dynasty was the Song.
Named Guanyin in China, Avalokiteshvara is a charmer showing the right path to the faithful. Chaste, he is in those ancient times mostly a man in India and a woman in China. His garment carved in bronze with pieces of jewelry masks any nudity.
His duality is expressed here by female facial lines immediately contradicted by locks of mustache and beard. Many symbols are displayed all over the statue, such as the eyes of wisdom in the forehead and in the palm of each hand.
It can still happen that a statue of Buddhist art is too unusual to find its place in the chronologies. This is the case of a large figure of Avalokiteshvara in massive gilt bronze 61 cm high, for sale by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 8, estimated HK $ 30M, lot 81 in the catalog.
Its Chinese origin is not questioned by the auction house. It is later to the Tang. It is also necessarily preceding Yongle. The Ming emperor managed a standardization of the Buddhist picture now stripped of fanciful symbols to better express perfection and purity. So being positioned midway between Tang and Ming but without a similarity to Yuan art, this artwork was executed at the time when the major dynasty was the Song.
Named Guanyin in China, Avalokiteshvara is a charmer showing the right path to the faithful. Chaste, he is in those ancient times mostly a man in India and a woman in China. His garment carved in bronze with pieces of jewelry masks any nudity.
His duality is expressed here by female facial lines immediately contradicted by locks of mustache and beard. Many symbols are displayed all over the statue, such as the eyes of wisdom in the forehead and in the palm of each hand.
1042 the ideal palace of tabo
2015 unsold
The foundation of the Tabo monastery in 996 of our calendar marks the revival of Tibetan Buddhism. It was rebuilt in 1042 and decorated with numerous murals including frescoes, scrolls and inscriptions.
These illustrations symbolize the great concepts of Buddhism, including the relationship of the deities with the world of mortals through their communication agents, the bodhisattvas.
On March 17 in New York, Sotheby's sells a Tibetan thangka of that period, lot 1019 estimated $ 800K. This work in a strict square 125 x 125 cm is designed as the plan of a monastery with a central mandala housing the deities seated on their thrones. This circular structure is located in a square room itself protected from the dangers of the outside world by a corridor guarded by sentries.
The mandala is presided in its center by the white god of the great light, Vairochana. At each of the four cardinal points, Vairochana is accompanied by a colored deity itself flanked by four bodhisattvas. These deities are also major figures including for example Amitabha who will have a top role in the Buddhist devotion.
Peace and meditation are total within the mandala, in opposition to the torments of the outside world symbolized by the flames and by the trees bent by the wind. The faithful can not enter but pray for contacting the bodhisattvas.
These illustrations symbolize the great concepts of Buddhism, including the relationship of the deities with the world of mortals through their communication agents, the bodhisattvas.
On March 17 in New York, Sotheby's sells a Tibetan thangka of that period, lot 1019 estimated $ 800K. This work in a strict square 125 x 125 cm is designed as the plan of a monastery with a central mandala housing the deities seated on their thrones. This circular structure is located in a square room itself protected from the dangers of the outside world by a corridor guarded by sentries.
The mandala is presided in its center by the white god of the great light, Vairochana. At each of the four cardinal points, Vairochana is accompanied by a colored deity itself flanked by four bodhisattvas. These deities are also major figures including for example Amitabha who will have a top role in the Buddhist devotion.
Peace and meditation are total within the mandala, in opposition to the torments of the outside world symbolized by the flames and by the trees bent by the wind. The faithful can not enter but pray for contacting the bodhisattvas.
song - meeting guanyin
2015 unsold
In the large halls of the monasteries, Buddha and Guanyin share the responsibilities of reception and watching. Buddha's lines are defined since the Han period and Guanyin had followed a similar path, to leave no doubt to the visitor about their identities.
The two deities look like humans, excepted that they are often larger than life and never stop to express perfection, for Buddha, and serene compassion, for Guanyin. Guanyin helps the mortals to overcome their shyness in order to achieve the highest level of wisdom that they can reach.
The imperial attitude varies. Under the Song, Buddhism is not dominant. It is contested by the Confucians and competes with Taoism. At this time of strong political power, the Chinese are wary against this foreign religion imported from India.
The large wooden statues maintain very marked Hindu features in opposition to Chinese traditions, such as the abundance of carved jewelry, the robe revealing the shape of the body and the high chignon.
A Song time specimen in the Victoria and Albert Museum has been studied in details. It consists of an assembly of small blocks of wood held together by pegs and dowels. The painted surface was subject to wear and was reworked over the centuries. The analysis of the statue revealed the realistic intention of the original layer with flesh color, black hair and a polychrome dress patterned with gilding. The Ming period layers will extend the gilding.
These Song statues are sharply carved. A seated Guanyin with one hanging leg was sold for € 9M including premium by Christie's on December 19, 2012. The pre sale lower estimate of € 200K expressed a posteriori the difficulty of predicting the price of such a scarce piece but this result can now be used as a reference.
On December 2 in Hong Kong, Christie's sells a wooden Guanyin sitting in the lotus position, 117 cm high, lot 2905 estimated HK $ 35M. The photo below, where the deity welcomes a visitor, clearly demonstrates the benevolent and however authoritarian presence that the anonymous artist had wanted to express ten to eight centuries ago.
The two deities look like humans, excepted that they are often larger than life and never stop to express perfection, for Buddha, and serene compassion, for Guanyin. Guanyin helps the mortals to overcome their shyness in order to achieve the highest level of wisdom that they can reach.
The imperial attitude varies. Under the Song, Buddhism is not dominant. It is contested by the Confucians and competes with Taoism. At this time of strong political power, the Chinese are wary against this foreign religion imported from India.
The large wooden statues maintain very marked Hindu features in opposition to Chinese traditions, such as the abundance of carved jewelry, the robe revealing the shape of the body and the high chignon.
A Song time specimen in the Victoria and Albert Museum has been studied in details. It consists of an assembly of small blocks of wood held together by pegs and dowels. The painted surface was subject to wear and was reworked over the centuries. The analysis of the statue revealed the realistic intention of the original layer with flesh color, black hair and a polychrome dress patterned with gilding. The Ming period layers will extend the gilding.
These Song statues are sharply carved. A seated Guanyin with one hanging leg was sold for € 9M including premium by Christie's on December 19, 2012. The pre sale lower estimate of € 200K expressed a posteriori the difficulty of predicting the price of such a scarce piece but this result can now be used as a reference.
On December 2 in Hong Kong, Christie's sells a wooden Guanyin sitting in the lotus position, 117 cm high, lot 2905 estimated HK $ 35M. The photo below, where the deity welcomes a visitor, clearly demonstrates the benevolent and however authoritarian presence that the anonymous artist had wanted to express ten to eight centuries ago.
Getting a closer look at this rare wood figure of Guanyin from our Dec 2 #BuddhistArt sale in #HongKong. pic.twitter.com/ZUw2oT7Wcr
— Christie's (@ChristiesInc) November 29, 2015The Infinite Light of Dali
2014 SOLD 1.56 M$ including premium
The fall of the Tang generated a period of anarchy in which vassal kingdoms benefited of a greater or even complete autonomy. The Kingdom of Dali (or Great Li) is one of them.
At that time Buddhism was widespread throughout the south and south-east of the continent. Dali occupied an interesting geographical position north of Burma, in the current Chinese province of Yunnan, not so far from India and Tibet.
On March 20 in New York, Christie's sells a bronze statue of Buddha Amitabha, 29 cm high, estimated $ 1.5 M. Its gilding is fairly preserved and it kept tiny traces of other pigments.
Amitabha is positioning his fingers in the gesture of teaching nirvana. His eyes are opened for the preaching instead of closed for meditation as he is more often figured. He sits on the ground without a lotus base in a yogic pose and his robe uncovers half of the torso.
This style is attributed to the art of Dali, 900 years ago. Note however a great difficulty in distinguishing the Dali art from the art of the Liao dynasty which was at the same time ruling another kingdom much farther north. It is rare in comparison with the figures of the popular Guanyin, the female variant of Avalokiteshvara in charge of charming the faithful.
POST SALE COMMENT
The estimate was ambitious for a bronze that was not imperial. The result, $ 1.56 million including premium, is very good.
At that time Buddhism was widespread throughout the south and south-east of the continent. Dali occupied an interesting geographical position north of Burma, in the current Chinese province of Yunnan, not so far from India and Tibet.
On March 20 in New York, Christie's sells a bronze statue of Buddha Amitabha, 29 cm high, estimated $ 1.5 M. Its gilding is fairly preserved and it kept tiny traces of other pigments.
Amitabha is positioning his fingers in the gesture of teaching nirvana. His eyes are opened for the preaching instead of closed for meditation as he is more often figured. He sits on the ground without a lotus base in a yogic pose and his robe uncovers half of the torso.
This style is attributed to the art of Dali, 900 years ago. Note however a great difficulty in distinguishing the Dali art from the art of the Liao dynasty which was at the same time ruling another kingdom much farther north. It is rare in comparison with the figures of the popular Guanyin, the female variant of Avalokiteshvara in charge of charming the faithful.
POST SALE COMMENT
The estimate was ambitious for a bronze that was not imperial. The result, $ 1.56 million including premium, is very good.
THE GENTLE TAMIL GODDESS
2013 SOLD 960 K$ INCLUDING PREMIUM
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
The Tamil art of South India had a brilliant time 900 years ago, at the height of the powerful Chola dynasty. The monuments are magnificent. The technique of lost wax casting is used for the bronzes.
Parvati is a favorite figure in the Hindu pantheon. In some ways, she is an equivalent of Venus: she is everything beautiful for the grace of Shiva, widower of Sati of whom she is a reincarnation.
Parvati is nice. Crowned like a queen, covered with jewels and wearing a cloth around her waist, this perfect woman is shown to the people during processions, making through her statue an attractive link between the real world and the gods.
On September 18 in New York, Christie's sells a large bronze, 84 cm overall. In a friendly attitude, slightly swaying, the fertile Parvati is standing on a lotus that is mounted on an structured basis. The details are of great delicacy, probably without carving.
This antique bronze is estimated $ 800K.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result, $ 960K including premium, is in the lower part of the range of estimates.
The Tamil art of South India had a brilliant time 900 years ago, at the height of the powerful Chola dynasty. The monuments are magnificent. The technique of lost wax casting is used for the bronzes.
Parvati is a favorite figure in the Hindu pantheon. In some ways, she is an equivalent of Venus: she is everything beautiful for the grace of Shiva, widower of Sati of whom she is a reincarnation.
Parvati is nice. Crowned like a queen, covered with jewels and wearing a cloth around her waist, this perfect woman is shown to the people during processions, making through her statue an attractive link between the real world and the gods.
On September 18 in New York, Christie's sells a large bronze, 84 cm overall. In a friendly attitude, slightly swaying, the fertile Parvati is standing on a lotus that is mounted on an structured basis. The details are of great delicacy, probably without carving.
This antique bronze is estimated $ 800K.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result, $ 960K including premium, is in the lower part of the range of estimates.
THANGKA, MANDALA AND PAUBHA
2008 SOLD 660 K$ INCLUDING PREMIUM
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
Sales of Indian and Southeast Asian art organized by Christie's in New York often include masterpieces. The next sale will take place on September 15. A separate catalogue is devoted to nine lots from a single collection, a statue and eight paintings. All these works come from Tibet and Nepal.
The word Thangka means a painting on canvas. Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning circle. This circle includes the image of a main deity. Around the circle other divine characters and symbols are represented.
We clearly see in the press release from Christie's that their favorite lot of this group is a Central Tibetan thangka representing the Buddha Shakyamuni. He sits on a throne in the center of the image (but not in a Mandala), and eight scenes of his life are shown around him. This fine painting 76 x 58 cm dates from about 900 years ago. It is estimated 600 K $, Lot 5. Christie's informs us that the influence of Indian art of Pala time is strong in this work.
Among the thangkas in mandala, the press release from Christie's has chosen to introduce lot 2. It is a Nepalese painting of 92 x 54 cm devoted to Surya, the sun god. The artist and date are identified: Kitaharasa, 629 years ago (I remind that I do not give dates according to timetables that were not in force in the concerned countries). It is estimated 400 K $.
The catalogue also includes, at lot 3, a Paubha, religious Nepalese painting dating back about 470 years ago, estimated 400 K $. This very dynamic image of 86 x 65 cm shows Chanda Maharoshana and Marnaki engaged in a fiery embrace.
POST SALE COMMENT
Only the top valued of the three thangkas described above (Lot 5) was sold. A 660 K $ including fees, it remains near its low estimate.
Sales of Indian and Southeast Asian art organized by Christie's in New York often include masterpieces. The next sale will take place on September 15. A separate catalogue is devoted to nine lots from a single collection, a statue and eight paintings. All these works come from Tibet and Nepal.
The word Thangka means a painting on canvas. Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning circle. This circle includes the image of a main deity. Around the circle other divine characters and symbols are represented.
We clearly see in the press release from Christie's that their favorite lot of this group is a Central Tibetan thangka representing the Buddha Shakyamuni. He sits on a throne in the center of the image (but not in a Mandala), and eight scenes of his life are shown around him. This fine painting 76 x 58 cm dates from about 900 years ago. It is estimated 600 K $, Lot 5. Christie's informs us that the influence of Indian art of Pala time is strong in this work.
Among the thangkas in mandala, the press release from Christie's has chosen to introduce lot 2. It is a Nepalese painting of 92 x 54 cm devoted to Surya, the sun god. The artist and date are identified: Kitaharasa, 629 years ago (I remind that I do not give dates according to timetables that were not in force in the concerned countries). It is estimated 400 K $.
The catalogue also includes, at lot 3, a Paubha, religious Nepalese painting dating back about 470 years ago, estimated 400 K $. This very dynamic image of 86 x 65 cm shows Chanda Maharoshana and Marnaki engaged in a fiery embrace.
POST SALE COMMENT
Only the top valued of the three thangkas described above (Lot 5) was sold. A 660 K $ including fees, it remains near its low estimate.
TARA FROM NEPAL
2011 UNSOLD
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
Tara is a kind and welcoming goddess. Her role is to assist the faithful to salvation. Her skills are so remarkable that she is enchanting Sotheby's after being adored for nearly eight centuries by the worshippers of Buddhism.
This figure of gilt copper 72 cm high is for sale in Hong Kong on October 5.
The goddess is standing. She is a maiden: according to the press release, the sacred texts indicate that she is a mere sixteen years of age. Her attitude is contemplative, and the position of her hands expresses charity and instruction.
The Nepalese artist expressed the ideal woman, with voluptuous proportions. Her head and her naked torso are covered with various jewels. Her diaphanous skirt is decorated with flowers and mythical beasts.
This statue was presented to the press in Hong Kong a few days ago. An article in the official Chinese press announced that it is worth about US$ 10M. This is certainly the higher estimate.
Here is the link to the catalogue.
Tara is a kind and welcoming goddess. Her role is to assist the faithful to salvation. Her skills are so remarkable that she is enchanting Sotheby's after being adored for nearly eight centuries by the worshippers of Buddhism.
This figure of gilt copper 72 cm high is for sale in Hong Kong on October 5.
The goddess is standing. She is a maiden: according to the press release, the sacred texts indicate that she is a mere sixteen years of age. Her attitude is contemplative, and the position of her hands expresses charity and instruction.
The Nepalese artist expressed the ideal woman, with voluptuous proportions. Her head and her naked torso are covered with various jewels. Her diaphanous skirt is decorated with flowers and mythical beasts.
This statue was presented to the press in Hong Kong a few days ago. An article in the official Chinese press announced that it is worth about US$ 10M. This is certainly the higher estimate.
Here is the link to the catalogue.
Bon from Tibet
2010 SOLD 870 K$ including premium
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
Buddhism is an open religion, which was able to assimilate and incorporate other beliefs. So, in Tibet, the followers of Bon gradually joined those of Buddha.
Made in Nepal 700 or 800 years ago, a gilded bronze statue represents a synthesis of this process. The attitude of the character in meditation, cross-legged sitting, is Buddhist. According to Bon tradition, it is the figure of a king promoted to the rank of deity under the name of Kunzang Akhor.
Fairly large in its class, 47 cm high, it is particularly remarkable for the ornaments of the body and a beautiful tiara securing a bun.
This lot is estimated $ 600K, selling at Christie's in New York on March 23.
POST SALE COMMENT
This deified king reached a well deserved price: $ 870 K including premium, near its high estimate.
Buddhism is an open religion, which was able to assimilate and incorporate other beliefs. So, in Tibet, the followers of Bon gradually joined those of Buddha.
Made in Nepal 700 or 800 years ago, a gilded bronze statue represents a synthesis of this process. The attitude of the character in meditation, cross-legged sitting, is Buddhist. According to Bon tradition, it is the figure of a king promoted to the rank of deity under the name of Kunzang Akhor.
Fairly large in its class, 47 cm high, it is particularly remarkable for the ornaments of the body and a beautiful tiara securing a bun.
This lot is estimated $ 600K, selling at Christie's in New York on March 23.
POST SALE COMMENT
This deified king reached a well deserved price: $ 870 K including premium, near its high estimate.
1375 the mandala of light
2016 unsold
The mandala is a support for the Buddhist meditation. A system of 42 mandalas was defined 900 years ago by Abhayakaragupta, a Bengali-born guru, to teach the universe as a whole.
The construction of a mandala is made of squares, circles and lines in an application that rigorously follows the prescriptions of the pandit. A mandala is inhabited by only one of the gods. For another god, a similar image is created. All the symbols necessary for the mystical teaching come into one or another of these pictures.
The center is the palace where the god resides. Its gates open the way to the seven heavens and to the Earth. The associated deities are distributed according to a principle based on a compass. The top and bottom edges include the characters from the lineage of the lama and the figure of the donor. A few inscriptions are precious for better interpreting the meaning.
On November 29 in Hong Kong, Bonhams sells a mandala 84 x 73 cm painted in distemper on cloth with inscriptions in Tibetan. This piece is dedicated to Marici, the goddess of Light. It is estimated HK $ 16M, lot 117.
Sixteen other elements of the same set are scattered between public and private collections. The colors are bright and the execution is superb. Their overall analysis converges to consider that these pieces were made in posthumous tribute to the 14th lama of a Tibetan monastery of Sakya tradition. The figure of this abbot who died in 1375 of our calendar is visible in the center of the upper frieze.
The construction of a mandala is made of squares, circles and lines in an application that rigorously follows the prescriptions of the pandit. A mandala is inhabited by only one of the gods. For another god, a similar image is created. All the symbols necessary for the mystical teaching come into one or another of these pictures.
The center is the palace where the god resides. Its gates open the way to the seven heavens and to the Earth. The associated deities are distributed according to a principle based on a compass. The top and bottom edges include the characters from the lineage of the lama and the figure of the donor. A few inscriptions are precious for better interpreting the meaning.
On November 29 in Hong Kong, Bonhams sells a mandala 84 x 73 cm painted in distemper on cloth with inscriptions in Tibetan. This piece is dedicated to Marici, the goddess of Light. It is estimated HK $ 16M, lot 117.
Sixteen other elements of the same set are scattered between public and private collections. The colors are bright and the execution is superb. Their overall analysis converges to consider that these pieces were made in posthumous tribute to the 14th lama of a Tibetan monastery of Sakya tradition. The figure of this abbot who died in 1375 of our calendar is visible in the center of the upper frieze.
#Himalayan Art sale in #HongKong will take place on 29 Nov including masterpieces from highly regarded collections. https://t.co/8pTKIfha1v pic.twitter.com/HtUyXKz3uX
— BONHAMS (@bonhams1793) November 11, 2016
wrathful meditation
2011 UNSOLD
2015 withdrawn
PRE 2011 SALE DISCUSSION
The influence of Buddhism on the early Ming emperors was considerable. The search for wisdom, also influenced by Hinduism, is used to demonstrate and ensure the omnipotence of the emperor.
We recently met Tara in this group. She is young and charming, but these qualities must be used to lead the faithful in the right direction.
In the same sale at Sotheby's in Hong Kong on October 5, Tara is followed by an amazing and splendid Manjushri, the Lord of Transcendental Wisdom. This statue of gilded copper alloy is superb, but we can not imagine a more loathsome figure. This deity got many attributes of death after overcoming it.
It has a bull's head, a crown of skulls, seven secundary heads and twenty-four arms, symbolizing power, anger,wisdom altogether. This manifestation of Manjushri is named Yamantaka Vajrabhairava.
Buddhist art in the early Ming was used to trade with the temples of the Indian subcontinent. The dimension of this work, 99 cm high, suggests that it is not earlier than mid-fifteenth century of our calendar and that it was realized fora local Chinese temple.
To own and tame this terrible wisdom, prepare HK $ 65M. It is illustrated in the catalogue.
We recently met Tara in this group. She is young and charming, but these qualities must be used to lead the faithful in the right direction.
In the same sale at Sotheby's in Hong Kong on October 5, Tara is followed by an amazing and splendid Manjushri, the Lord of Transcendental Wisdom. This statue of gilded copper alloy is superb, but we can not imagine a more loathsome figure. This deity got many attributes of death after overcoming it.
It has a bull's head, a crown of skulls, seven secundary heads and twenty-four arms, symbolizing power, anger,wisdom altogether. This manifestation of Manjushri is named Yamantaka Vajrabhairava.
Buddhist art in the early Ming was used to trade with the temples of the Indian subcontinent. The dimension of this work, 99 cm high, suggests that it is not earlier than mid-fifteenth century of our calendar and that it was realized fora local Chinese temple.
To own and tame this terrible wisdom, prepare HK $ 65M. It is illustrated in the catalogue.
pre 2015 sale discussion (same lot as above)
Bodhisattvas have got the most varied means to convince the faithful. Indeed Manjushri, the great bodhisattva of wisdom, may take the apocalyptic form of Vajrabhairava.
The Tibetan and Nepalese iconography developed the most frightening characteristics to show Vajrabhairava, who can have up to 9 faces, 34 hands and 16 legs. One of the two main hands plants a knife in a skull-cup held by the other main hand. At the top of the tiara, the less wrathful figure of Manjushri softens the game while recalling that this horror is only a secondary emanation of the bodhisattva's meditation.
The gilt bronze offered in Christie's sale in New York on 15 and 16 March is exceptional in its size, 99 cm high, and the wealth of details of the sculpture. It is estimated $ 4M, lot 3203.
Vajrabhairava is standing firmly planted on his two groups of eight legs each. The feet are placed on a stack of two layers of recumbents and animals who raise their heads in contradiction with the illusion of death. The base is a classic double lotus. The deity has its usual buffalo head with its mouth opened on sharp fangs. Various heads complete this terrifying iconography.
This figure is related to Tibetan Buddhism, but from the quality of its realization and its exceptional height it can only come from the Beijing imperial workshops in the first century of the Ming Dynasty, six centuries ago.
The Buddha sold for HK $ 236M including premium by Sotheby's on October 8, 2013 was only 55 cm high but had the Yongle imperial mark.
The Tibetan and Nepalese iconography developed the most frightening characteristics to show Vajrabhairava, who can have up to 9 faces, 34 hands and 16 legs. One of the two main hands plants a knife in a skull-cup held by the other main hand. At the top of the tiara, the less wrathful figure of Manjushri softens the game while recalling that this horror is only a secondary emanation of the bodhisattva's meditation.
The gilt bronze offered in Christie's sale in New York on 15 and 16 March is exceptional in its size, 99 cm high, and the wealth of details of the sculpture. It is estimated $ 4M, lot 3203.
Vajrabhairava is standing firmly planted on his two groups of eight legs each. The feet are placed on a stack of two layers of recumbents and animals who raise their heads in contradiction with the illusion of death. The base is a classic double lotus. The deity has its usual buffalo head with its mouth opened on sharp fangs. Various heads complete this terrifying iconography.
This figure is related to Tibetan Buddhism, but from the quality of its realization and its exceptional height it can only come from the Beijing imperial workshops in the first century of the Ming Dynasty, six centuries ago.
The Buddha sold for HK $ 236M including premium by Sotheby's on October 8, 2013 was only 55 cm high but had the Yongle imperial mark.
GREAT LIGHT FOR THE MING
2012 UNSOLD
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
Vairocana is one of the incarnations of the perfect Light of Buddha. On March 23 in New York, Christie's sells an imposing statue of Vairocana in majesty, sitting on a huge lotus.
1.70 m high and finely carved, this gilt bronze statue comes necessarily from a place of Buddhist worship, public or private. The catalog does not indicate its origin, probably unidentified. Under these conditions, the estimate of $ 2M isambitious.
The inspection of the artwork nonetheless provides some certainty to the experts of the auction house.
The position of the hands in prayer is typically Chinese, and the style is close to middle Ming dynasty 500 years ago, a period which was a golden age of Chinese Buddhism. In good condition, the statue retains much of its original gilding.
Vairocana is one of the incarnations of the perfect Light of Buddha. On March 23 in New York, Christie's sells an imposing statue of Vairocana in majesty, sitting on a huge lotus.
1.70 m high and finely carved, this gilt bronze statue comes necessarily from a place of Buddhist worship, public or private. The catalog does not indicate its origin, probably unidentified. Under these conditions, the estimate of $ 2M isambitious.
The inspection of the artwork nonetheless provides some certainty to the experts of the auction house.
The position of the hands in prayer is typically Chinese, and the style is close to middle Ming dynasty 500 years ago, a period which was a golden age of Chinese Buddhism. In good condition, the statue retains much of its original gilding.
1557 the ngor lineage
2015 withdrawn
The Sakya tradition, one of the four main trends of Tibetan Buddhism, is inseparable from the monastery of Ngor, created by its first abbot in 1073 of our calendar. Promoting education, Ngor scrupulously maintained the honor of its best teachers.
Ngor invites meditation around Rakta Yamari, the conqueror of death. Possibly from the workshops of Lhasa, an embroidered silk thangka that sold for HK $ 350 million including premium by Christie's on November 26, 2014 offered the central role to Rakta Yamari, proving the extreme importance of this deity in late medieval Buddhism.
Ngor also produced high quality thangkas. The Ngor lineage article in Wikipedia is illustrated by a thangka on cotton 135 x 117 cm from the late fifteenth century of our calendar. This is a posthumous honor to the fourth and sixth abbots who occupy side by side the central position, surrounded by cartridges showing the other masters and certainly also Rakta Yamari.
Another Ngor thangka in distemper on cloth, 86 x 73 cm for the original image and 130 x 83 cm overall, is estimated $ 800K for sale by Bonhams in New York on March 16, lot 15. The pure colors remain very fresh.
The two central figures are now the ninth and tenth abbots. A welcoming sentence for the accession of the eleventh abbot allows to date this work around 1557 of our calendar. Its composition is similar to that of the thangka of the fourth and sixth abbots, bringing a remarkable demonstration of the care for maintaining traditions in the Ngor lineage.
Ngor invites meditation around Rakta Yamari, the conqueror of death. Possibly from the workshops of Lhasa, an embroidered silk thangka that sold for HK $ 350 million including premium by Christie's on November 26, 2014 offered the central role to Rakta Yamari, proving the extreme importance of this deity in late medieval Buddhism.
Ngor also produced high quality thangkas. The Ngor lineage article in Wikipedia is illustrated by a thangka on cotton 135 x 117 cm from the late fifteenth century of our calendar. This is a posthumous honor to the fourth and sixth abbots who occupy side by side the central position, surrounded by cartridges showing the other masters and certainly also Rakta Yamari.
Another Ngor thangka in distemper on cloth, 86 x 73 cm for the original image and 130 x 83 cm overall, is estimated $ 800K for sale by Bonhams in New York on March 16, lot 15. The pure colors remain very fresh.
The two central figures are now the ninth and tenth abbots. A welcoming sentence for the accession of the eleventh abbot allows to date this work around 1557 of our calendar. Its composition is similar to that of the thangka of the fourth and sixth abbots, bringing a remarkable demonstration of the care for maintaining traditions in the Ngor lineage.
Discover more about the c.1557 thangka going to auction in NY on display at Bonhams Hong Kong: http://t.co/YGmIgwTtYi pic.twitter.com/fFwhX9irWe
— BONHAMS (@bonhams1793) February 27, 2015The Protector of the Tantras
2019 SOLD for $ 980K including premium
In Tantric Buddhism, Mahakala is the protector of the sacred texts and fights ignorance. Common to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism, he is the emanation of a god or a bodhisattva. Ignorance is likened to death, of which Mahakala bears many symbols : the skeleton masks of the five wisdoms form a crown above his broad forehead and he holds a cup made with a skull. Flames are ready to spring from his hair.
Panjaranatha Mahakala is an emanation of the bodhisattva Manjusri. With only two arms, he is the guardian of the pavilion of the sacred texts. Despite his terrible look, he is rather peaceful.
Bronzes showing this deity are very rare, except for a short period in the early Ming dynasty. This iconography has however been maintained in Tibet, with additional refinements in the dissuasive ferocity.
On March 19 in New York, Bonhams sells a 27 cm high figure of Panjaranatha Mahakala made in gilt copper alloy in Tibet about two centuries after the reign of Yongle. It is estimated $ 800K, lot 928.
Compared to his predecessors, his physiognomy appears even more powerful, with hypnotic eyes and a mouth wide open to display fangs and tongue. He is positioned firmly on his laterally folded legs. The feet are resting on the decrepit corpse of an ignorant character.
Panjaranatha Mahakala is an emanation of the bodhisattva Manjusri. With only two arms, he is the guardian of the pavilion of the sacred texts. Despite his terrible look, he is rather peaceful.
Bronzes showing this deity are very rare, except for a short period in the early Ming dynasty. This iconography has however been maintained in Tibet, with additional refinements in the dissuasive ferocity.
On March 19 in New York, Bonhams sells a 27 cm high figure of Panjaranatha Mahakala made in gilt copper alloy in Tibet about two centuries after the reign of Yongle. It is estimated $ 800K, lot 928.
Compared to his predecessors, his physiognomy appears even more powerful, with hypnotic eyes and a mouth wide open to display fangs and tongue. He is positioned firmly on his laterally folded legs. The feet are resting on the decrepit corpse of an ignorant character.
A gilt copper alloy figure of #PanjaranataMahakala, baring his fangs for all to see. Made in Tibet, circa 17th century - just one highlight from the upcoming Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art sale, March 19 in New York. Explore the catalog: https://t.co/2BTGMBg2R4 pic.twitter.com/b0Fv4DvKtb
— Bonhams (@bonhams1793) March 5, 2019
Kangxi - Figures in Tianhuang
2013 SOLD 21.4 MHK$ including premium
The tianhuang is a rare variety of soapstone. It is only found in the province of Fujian. Similarly as the now extinct blue john in England, it has unique colors and was much appreciated in art and decoration.
The art objects made in tianhuang are small. Easy to carve, it was used to represent dragons or luohans.
A Guanyin in tianhuang is estimated HK$ 20M, for sale by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 8. Here is the link to the catalog.
The stone has two distinct parts. The divinity along with her various attributes and companions displays the bright orange color of this mineral. She is housed in a perforated marbled gray grotto. Mounted on a zitan base, this sculpture is 8.9 cm high and weighs 269 grams. Its price seems ambitious but scarcity can compensate for the small size.
It is signed by Zhou Bin, an Fujian artist poorly documented but it is known that he was working during the Kangxi period, a little more than 310 years ago. The prestige of the tianhuang was so high that it was given to a teacher by a student one hundred years later with an inscription confirming this tribute.
POST SALE COMMENT
This extremely rare piece has met the expectations. It was sold HK $ 21.4 million including premium.
The art objects made in tianhuang are small. Easy to carve, it was used to represent dragons or luohans.
A Guanyin in tianhuang is estimated HK$ 20M, for sale by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 8. Here is the link to the catalog.
The stone has two distinct parts. The divinity along with her various attributes and companions displays the bright orange color of this mineral. She is housed in a perforated marbled gray grotto. Mounted on a zitan base, this sculpture is 8.9 cm high and weighs 269 grams. Its price seems ambitious but scarcity can compensate for the small size.
It is signed by Zhou Bin, an Fujian artist poorly documented but it is known that he was working during the Kangxi period, a little more than 310 years ago. The prestige of the tianhuang was so high that it was given to a teacher by a student one hundred years later with an inscription confirming this tribute.
POST SALE COMMENT
This extremely rare piece has met the expectations. It was sold HK $ 21.4 million including premium.
1770 THE HAND OF THE PANCHEN LAMA
2013 SOLD 720 K$ INCLUDING PREMIUM
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
The Panchen Lama is just below the Dalai Lama in the Tibetan Buddhist hierarchy. This scholarly master is considered as a repetitive reincarnation going back to the Buddha Amitabha or at least inspired by him.
Lobzang Palden Yeshe was one of the most outstanding Panchen Lama. In 1758 of our calendar he identified aprodigious infant as the eighth Dalai Lama.
On November 7, 2006 in London, Christie's sold in two lots a set of nine thangka made in pigments and gold ontextile, 63 x 39 cm for the largest. Lobzang Palden Yeshe was identified as the main character in this group and as the sixth Panchen Lama, which is consistent with the information provided by Wikipedia.
The central thangka, which represents himself, has a large handprint on the back, and the others do not have a similar feature. These eight other figures are representations of previous lives of the same Lama. Although this set is alreadyconsiderable, it is not complete, as demonstrated from other iconographic material on the same theme.
The catalog of 2006 was illustrated with the nine paintings and the hand in lots 132 and 133. The paintings are described as extremely fine, but I do not give the result here because their true significance had not yet been proven.
The nine paintings come back for sale as a single lot at Christie's in New York on September 18, with an estimate of $ 600K. They are considered to have been made around 1770 in our calendar and that the central verso is the Lama's handprint, authenticating this series as an original iconography made in his lifetime.
POST SALE COMMENT
This rare group of paintings was sold for $ 720K including premium, in line with the lower estimate.
I invite you to play the video introducing the sale, where you will be happy to see again the gentle Parvati who was the subject of a previous discussion in this column, and the video introducing this set of nine paintings :
The Panchen Lama is just below the Dalai Lama in the Tibetan Buddhist hierarchy. This scholarly master is considered as a repetitive reincarnation going back to the Buddha Amitabha or at least inspired by him.
Lobzang Palden Yeshe was one of the most outstanding Panchen Lama. In 1758 of our calendar he identified aprodigious infant as the eighth Dalai Lama.
On November 7, 2006 in London, Christie's sold in two lots a set of nine thangka made in pigments and gold ontextile, 63 x 39 cm for the largest. Lobzang Palden Yeshe was identified as the main character in this group and as the sixth Panchen Lama, which is consistent with the information provided by Wikipedia.
The central thangka, which represents himself, has a large handprint on the back, and the others do not have a similar feature. These eight other figures are representations of previous lives of the same Lama. Although this set is alreadyconsiderable, it is not complete, as demonstrated from other iconographic material on the same theme.
The catalog of 2006 was illustrated with the nine paintings and the hand in lots 132 and 133. The paintings are described as extremely fine, but I do not give the result here because their true significance had not yet been proven.
The nine paintings come back for sale as a single lot at Christie's in New York on September 18, with an estimate of $ 600K. They are considered to have been made around 1770 in our calendar and that the central verso is the Lama's handprint, authenticating this series as an original iconography made in his lifetime.
POST SALE COMMENT
This rare group of paintings was sold for $ 720K including premium, in line with the lower estimate.
I invite you to play the video introducing the sale, where you will be happy to see again the gentle Parvati who was the subject of a previous discussion in this column, and the video introducing this set of nine paintings :
FAMILLE ROSE FOR THE BUDDHISM
2012 UNSOLD
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
All trends and all shapes are represented in the Qianlong imperial porcelain. Here is an exquisite Buddhist examplebearing the six character imperial mark. This piece is estimated $ 800K, for sale by Gianguan Auctions in New York on December 9. Here is the link to the catalog on the LiveAuctioneers platform.
This is a flat bottle of moon flask type 36 cm high, with two handles in the shape of scrolling Qilins.
On a light green background, the decoration is made on each side of a central medallion illustrated with peonies andsurrounded by the eight Buddhist emblems arranged in a circle. These symbols are identified as bajixiang.
The line is sharp and nice, but the main interest of this very rare piece lies in its vivid and even joyful colors. Suchbrightness, developed under the earlier Qing, is an achievement of the enamel technique known as famille rose.
All trends and all shapes are represented in the Qianlong imperial porcelain. Here is an exquisite Buddhist examplebearing the six character imperial mark. This piece is estimated $ 800K, for sale by Gianguan Auctions in New York on December 9. Here is the link to the catalog on the LiveAuctioneers platform.
This is a flat bottle of moon flask type 36 cm high, with two handles in the shape of scrolling Qilins.
On a light green background, the decoration is made on each side of a central medallion illustrated with peonies andsurrounded by the eight Buddhist emblems arranged in a circle. These symbols are identified as bajixiang.
The line is sharp and nice, but the main interest of this very rare piece lies in its vivid and even joyful colors. Suchbrightness, developed under the earlier Qing, is an achievement of the enamel technique known as famille rose.
