A GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF MANJUSHRI
NEPAL, 11TH CENTURY
Solidly cast seated in Vajraparyankasana (diamond posture) with his hands folded in his lap in Samadhimudra, his face bearing a serene expression with downcast eyes, wearing a shawl draped across his shoulder and a diaphanous dhoti, bejeweled armlets, a tripartite crown with elaborate scrollwork and beaded necklace with central pendant of attached claws, with bright gilding remaining in the recessed areas
7 in. (17.7 cm.) high
Details
- Title : A GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF MANJUSHRI
- Year : 11TH CENTURY
- Classification : Sculpture
- Medium : Gilt Bronze
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Collection : Christies
- LOT : 10
- Lot Essay : This solidly cast bronze has an impressive presence through its clarity of form paired with some bejewelled accents, directing the viewer's gaze towards the expression of meditation. The type of tripartite crown closely follows Pala period prototypes from Northeastern India. While the meditation aspect is more commonly associated with images of Amitabha or Amitayus, the necklace with a pendant of three claws appears to be distinctive to an aspect of Manjushri, specifically Dharmasankha-Samadhi Manjushri; for further discussion, see U. von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculpture in Tibet, vol. II, 2001, figs. 219A-E, and p. 936. Von Schroeder describes the important activity and influence of Newar artisans in Tibet from the 11th century onward and discusses related bronzes produced by Nepalese schools in Tibet. This sculpture was one of a handful that sat on Mr. Ellsworth’s headboard and illustrates the close relationship between Indian and Himalayan bronzes, specifically how the former greatly influenced the latter.
- Price realised : USD 545,000
- Estimate : USD 250,000 - USD 350,000
- Provenance : Christian Humann (d. 1981), New York, before 1976, named the Pan-Asian Collection by 1977. *Collection of Robert H. Ellsworth, New York, acquired in May 1982.
- Exhibited : On loan to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1976-82 (L.76.24.3).