Lot 40
  • 40

A silver and copper inlaid bronze figure of Vajradhara Western Tibet, 15th century

Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 USD
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Description

the primordial Buddha seated in vajraparyankasana, his hands crossed at the wrist in prajnalinganabhinaya holding the vajra and ghanta, his naked torso adorned with necklaces, wearing a crown, earrings, bracelets and armbands, with a scarf over the shoulders swirling at the elbow and falling to lotus pedestal at the knee, his lower garment extensively inlaid with silver and copper to delineate the floral patterning, and silver and copper highlighting the eyes and lips

Condition

Heavy accretion overall, most likely from butter lamp smoke. The silver and copper inlay on the robe is tarnished. Inlay missing from centre of the earrings, the central pendant on the necklace and armbands. The consecration plate original but re-attached, contents lose within.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

The narrowed silver-inlaid eyes and copper lips are typical of sculpture from Western Tibet and an attribution to the kingdom of Guge may be made by comparison with an inscribed bronze Buddha in the Berti Aschmann Foundation at the Rietberg Museum. The inscription states that the Buddha was made by two brothers from Guge. Not only the eyes and lips are similarly inlaid, but also the hem of the Buddha's robe and the lower garment of the Vajradhara are both extensively inlaid with silver and copper in much the same style, and the shape of the lotus petals of the pedestals are also similar, see Helmut Uhlig, On the Path to Enlightenment, The Berti Aschmann Foundation of Tibetan Art at the Museum Rietberg Z¿rich, Zurich, 1995, p. 71, no. 29.