AN OUTSTANDING LARGE GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF HEVAJRA AND NAIRATMYA YUAN DYNASTY

finely cast and richly gilded throughout, depicting the eight-headed deity standing in alidha with the other two legs lifted off the base, the figure depicted with sixteen arms, each holding a skull cup supporting an animal or personified element, the animals in his right hands depicted facing inwards and the elements in his left depicted facing outwards, the main arms embracing his consort Nairatmya at his front, Nairatmya depicted standing on her leg with her right wrapped around Hevraja's waist, holding a a skull cup in her left hand and a triguk in her hand, both figures adorned with beaded jewellery and attire inset with semi-precious stones and bone ornaments including skull garlands, stand

Collection of the Tsai family, Cathay Art Museum.

The figure is overall in good condition. As visible in the catalogue photos, it is missing its original base.There is oxidisation to the metal, particularly on the reverse, and some rubbing to gilding at peripheral areas. There are some missing hardstone inlays. General surface wear and insignificant bruising to the extremities. The colour in reality is more of a brilliant gold than in the photos, where the colour is a tinge too red.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This massively cast and powerfully modelled figure represents The Adamantine One, Hevajra, one of the principal meditational deities of the Sakya order of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, in union with his consort Nairatmya. It was the Sakyapa that forged a dynamic relationship with the leaders of the Mongols who founded the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) in China: Khublai Khan (1215-1294) appointed the Tibetan Sakya hierarch Phagspa (1235-1280) as his imperial preceptor in 1260. Phagspa famously introduced the young Newar artist Anige (1244-1306) to Khublai Khan in 1262, and by 1273 was appointed Director of All Artisan Classes and then Controller of Imperial Factories in 1278.

Wealthy Sakya patrons traditionally employed Nepalese artists, and the rich fire-gilding and sensuous sculptural style of the Hevajra are hallmarks of Newar traditions. The tantric sculpture associated with this period of spiritual and political partnership between the Sakya and Mongol China is characterised by vigorously energetic modelling, sturdy limbs and squat proportions, evident in the extended athletic stance of the Hevajra group, their weight sweeping close to the ground; cf. the squat lunging posture of a thirteenth century black stone Yuan period Vajrabhairava with thick-set limbs and very similar ancillary heads, now in the collection of Sakya monastery, see Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet, Hong Kong, 2001, vol. II, p. 901, pl. 210C, and compare also the muscularity and low centre of gravity of the attendant deities on the renowned Fournier black stone Mahakala dated 1292, see Gilles Béguin, Art ésotérique de l'Himâlaya, Paris, 1990, p. 55, cat. no. 21

The bronze is cast in one and is a sculptural and technical tour de force. The diminutive animals and kneeling deities resting in the sixteen kapalas are clearly defined. The fans of Hevajra's arms form perfect arcs around the deeply engaged couple as they lunge to the right in alidha posture. Both deities are naked save for their human bone jewellery, he with a garland of freshly severed heads and she with a garland of skulls. Faces are imbued with intensity while Hevajra's parted lips are said to be emitting the reverberating cosmic sound HUM. Nairatmya, Without Self, and the embodiment of Wisdom, folds her left arm around her consort.

Hevajra is described in an eighth century eastern India treatise that is beautifully interpreted in this rare gilt bronze sculpture ... "There at centre am I, O Fair One, together with you... . Fearful am I to fear itself, with my necklace made from a string of heads ... . Black am I and terrible ... but my inner nature is tranquil, and holding Nairatmya in loving embrace, I am possessed of tranquil bliss", see Rob Linrothe, Ruthless Compassion, London, 1999, pp. 268-9 for further translated verses of the Hevajra Tantra and a lucid discussion on the iconography of the deity.