Under the Hammer
Edward Wilkinson's Top Picks from Images of Devotion
Ahead of our upcoming Images of Devotion auction on 5th October, Executive Director of Bonhams Asia, Edward Wilkinson, shares his top five lots coming up for sale.
Our annual sale in Hong Kong of Images of Devotion is focused on the diverse arts of the Himalayan region. This season brings us a very exciting group of objects drawn primarily from private collections spanning 1,500 years from the ancient region of Gandhara to the 18th century in Tibet. Part I is a rare group of portrait sculpture from a Private Swiss Collection of the spiritual (Buddhist) masters of Tibet. The rendering of each figure captures the eccentricities of these revered masters and their love of luxury textiles. Part II includes an important group of Tibetan ritual implements, paintings, and fine sculpture from the Chinese, Nepalese and Tibetan traditions.
Edward Wilkinson, Director of Bonhams Asia.
Edward Wilkinson, Director of Bonhams Asia.
Lot 117
A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Avalokiteshvara
Lot 117. A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Avalokiteshvara, Yuan Dynasty, 14th Century, HK$ 3,500,000 - 4,500,000.
Lot 117. A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Avalokiteshvara, Yuan Dynasty, 14th Century, HK$ 3,500,000 - 4,500,000.
This jewel of a sculpture is mesmerizing to hold in the hand. The weight and exacting details give it a monumental impression beyond its small size. The superb execution of the details is almost certainly the work of the Yuan imperial workshops. The plump lotus petals, naturalistic treatment of the scarf ends draped across the front and the high scrolling tresses over the shoulders are all hallmarks of the celebrated Nepalese master artist and architect, Aniko (1245-1306).
Lot 115
A Gilt Copper Figure of Vasudhara
Lot 115. A Gilt Copper Figure of Vasudhara, Nepal, Early Malla Period, 13th/14th Century, HK$ 2,000,000 - 3,000,000.
Lot 115. A Gilt Copper Figure of Vasudhara, Nepal, Early Malla Period, 13th/14th Century, HK$ 2,000,000 - 3,000,000.
This lovingly depicted sculpture is of Vasudhara, a Buddhist goddess of wealth and abundance. The Nepalese (Newari) craftsmen of the Kathmandu Valley consistently created sculptures of the highest standard and most naturalistic form, which is a challenge for a sculpture with six arms. Her gently flexed torso and relaxed position of ‘royal ease’ give a sense of movement with every glance. Her pensive face, arms and legs are worn from centuries of veneration as she was called upon to protect the crops and deliver bountiful harvests.
Lot 7
A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of the Sixth Abbot of Drigung Monastery, Tokkhawa Rinchen Sengge
Lot 7. A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of the Sixth Abbot of Drigung Monastery, Tokkhawa Rinchen Sengge, Central Tibet, Densatil, 14th Century, HK$ 1,200,000 - 1,600,000.
Lot 7. A Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of the Sixth Abbot of Drigung Monastery, Tokkhawa Rinchen Sengge, Central Tibet, Densatil, 14th Century, HK$ 1,200,000 - 1,600,000.
This majestic portrait is of one of the most powerful monastic rulers of Tibet. During the 14th century, Tokkhawa Rinchen Sengge had his seat of power at the famed monastic centre of Densatil. Although his garments are seemingly standard, the intricate patterns chased across the rich gilded surface are important symbols and motifs that reveal his wealth and power.
Luxurious silk textiles were known to have been sent to Tibet as tribute from the Imperial courts of China and were considered especially precious as there was no weaving tradition in Tibet. On this sculpture we find a rare representation of the overlapping coin design preserved from the Liao dynasty (916-1125AD). This suggests that it was used in a small section for this very special application on Tokkhawa's vest, a fitting symbol of wealth at a time when silk was gold.
Lot 34
A Brass Figure of the Founder of the Bodong Order, Bodong Panchen Chogle Namgyel
Lot 34. A Brass Figure of the Founder of the Bodong Order, Bodong Panchen Chogle Namgyel, Tibet, 15th/16th Century, HK$ 650,000 - 950,000.
Lot 34. A Brass Figure of the Founder of the Bodong Order, Bodong Panchen Chogle Namgyel, Tibet, 15th/16th Century, HK$ 650,000 - 950,000.
This sculpture is one of my favourites from the collection of portrait sculpture. The garments are neatly arranged around his large frame and the elaborate textile designs over the back of his heavy meditation cloak give a full 360-degree experience.
The surface of the bronze is almost like a smooth patina of wood, the result of many centuries of devotional handling and veneration. Perfectly framed by the tall-peaked pandita hat, the face is just remarkable. His penetrating gaze suggests that he is serious about the path to enlightenment and the practice required.
Lot 104
An Ebony Phurba
Lot 104. An Ebony Phurba, Tibet, Circa 15th Century, HK$ 250,000 - 350,000.
Lot 104. An Ebony Phurba, Tibet, Circa 15th Century, HK$ 250,000 - 350,000.
The dense polished ebony of this powerful ritual implement is carved in extraordinary detail. With three terrifying faces at the top, a smooth well-balanced grip and tripartite blade with twisting bodies of snakes set in high relief. It is rare to handle such a ritual implement and find the balance is perfect and each edge shows the wear and passage of time. This, together with the Kapala Danda and the Vajra and Ghanta set, are offered at auction for the first time and have not been seen in public since they were exhibited at the Musée Guimet in 2002.
Edward Wilkinson is the Bonhams Executive Director of Asia. You can reach him at edward.wilkinson@bonhams.com
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