- 3120
A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF A WORLDLY PROTECTOR MONGOLIA, 18TH CENTURY
Estimate
80,000 - 120,000 HKD
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Description
- Bronze
seated on a horned beast with both arms raised, wearing beaded jewels around the bare chest, adorned with a billowing scarf and diaphanous dhoti, the ferocious face heightened with three glaring eyes, below a five-skull crown and flaming hair, all supported on a platform of roiling blood; together with a mixed-metal ga'u box, Mongolia, 18th-19th century
Condition
The figure is in good condition, with just minor surface wear.
There are some missing inlays on the gau box and some possibly replaced. Oxidisation and general surface wear.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
This diminutive and powerful worldly protector is depicted astride a horned beast which gallops through a sea of roiling blood, denoted here with traces of extant red polychromy. His three eyes bulge and his mouth is agape baring his teeth. Fierce worldly protectors within the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon, such as the current work, are adapted from earlier Indian Buddhist traditions, and can be found through the Nikaya, Mahayana and Vajrayana schools. These are not enlightened beings, but most often subjugated spirits which have been bound by oath to variously uphold and protect the dharma in all its forms: the sangha or communties of practitioners; the land or particular monasteries; and the sacred teachings and specific religious texts.