RARE STATUE OF AMOGHAPASHALOKESHVARA IN GOLDEN BRONZE
NEPAL, BEGINNING OF THE TIME MALLA, XIV-XVTH CENTURY
It is represented standing in light Tribhanga . His eight arms radiate around him, his hands in various mudra or holding attributes. He is dressed in an end dhoti finely incised motives. It is adorned with jewels encrusted with precious stones including a necklace, bracelets and earrings. He wears a richly wrought crown. His face is full of serenity.
Height: 19.3 cm. (7 ½ in.), Base
Details
- Title : RARE STATUE OF AMOGHAPASHALOKESHVARA IN GOLDEN BRONZE
- Year : XIV-XVTH CENTURY
- Classification : Sculpture
- Medium : Bronze
- Dimension : Height: 19.3 cm. (7 ½ in.), Base
- Accession No : LOT187
- Country/ Geo-location : NEPAL
- Period : THE MALLA TIME
- Collection : Christies
- Status : UPCOMING LOT FOR SALE IN CHRISTIE'S PARIS ( as mentioned on 05/12/2019)
- Estimate : EUR 80,000 - EUR 120,000 (USD 88,775 - USD 133,162)
- Origin : Joe Gelpey collection, prior to 1979. Important French private collection.
- Post Lot Text : A RARE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF AMOGHAPASHALOKESHVARA NEPAL, EARLY MALLA PERIOD, 14TH-15TH CENTURY
- Lot Essay : The Amoghapasha manifestation of Avalokiteshvara is a popular Buddhist deity in Nepal and known as 'One with the Unfailing noose'. The cult of this specific form of Avalokiteshvara appears to be particularly popular in Nepal. Further he is considered to be one of the eight tutelary deities of the Kathmandu Valley. Each pious Buddhist is expected to perform the Ashtamivrata rite, devoted to this eight-armed deity, on the eight day ( ashtami) of the lunar fortnight. It is customary for a patron to paint on this specific day at Amoghapasha. Rituals for worshipping Amoghapasha brought rain, which is important for an agricultural society like that of the Valley. Images of Amoghapasha are frequently represented in both sculpture and painting from the fifteenth century onwards. The earliest examples of Avalokiteshvara in his two-armed aspect were made of stone and date back to the sixth century, for sure earlier prototypes must have existed. Since then various iconographic forms have been created for the devotees until present day. Aesthetically, examples made during the earliest days of graceful, graceful and well-proportioned bodies, delicate hands and fine facial features.
- Literature : AW Macdonald and Anne Vergati Stahl, Newar Art: Nepalese Art during the Malla period , Aris & Phillips Ltd., Warminster 1979, plate 31, p.47.