A GILT AND POLYCHROME ZITAN FIGURE OF MAHACHAKRA VAJRAPANI AND CONSORT TIBET, 16TH – 17TH CENTURY |

The male figure’s left arm, which was separately constructed, has been broken off refixed. General surface wear, minor bruises and loss to polychromes. Mandorla is missing
"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."

The following twelve lots (lots 631-642) are the property of a distinguished collector, acquired from prominent art galleries in Hong Kong, Europe and the Americas since the 1990s. It is extremely rare to find so many Tibetan zitan figures in one private collection, with only a small number preserved in museum collections, including the Potala Palace, Lhasa and the Rubin Museum of Art, New York. The group includes a grand assemblage of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, protector deities and saints, including two rare early and well-preserved copies of the revered 7th century sculpture of Phagpa Lokeshvara in the Potala Palace, lots 634 and 640.

This finely carved zitan figure, which is preserved in unusually good condition with original gold and red pigments intact , depicts  Mahachakra, a Tantric form of the bodhisattva Vajrapani appearing as a meditational deity.