A BRONZE FIGURE OF VAJRAPANI, TIBET, 13TH-14TH CENTURY
Finely cast striding in alidhasana, trampling on a prostrate figure atop a lotus pedestal, holding a vajra in his raised right hand and a ghanta in his left, wearing a tiger skin dhoti and a billowing scarf, adorned with a garland of severed heads (mundamala) and beaded jewelry. His face with a fierce expression, the mouth agape showing sharp teeth, the almond-shaped eyes and arched brows centered by an oval urna, the neatly incised flaming hair secured by a skull tiara tied on both sides, all flanked by a flaming mandorla.

The sealed base incised with a double vajra emblem.


Provenance:
From a private collection in the United Kingdom, by repute acquired from Kenny & Higgins Asian Art, Washington DC, USA. David Kenny and Kitty Higgins are prominent dealers of Asian art. Their expertise in Asian antiquities grew out of their deep passion for exploring and traveling. Beginning in the South American textile trade, David and Kitty found themselves slowly immersing in Asian culture out of an insatiable curiosity. After publishing several books on Asian art, both continue to work in the field of Asian antiquities.

Condition:
Good condition with significant old wear, expected casting irregularities, dents and nicks, obvious losses. Remnants of ancient gilt and pigment. The bronze is covered in a rich, naturally grown patina overall.

Weight: 369.1 g
Dimensions: 12.9 cm


Vajrapani is regarded as one of the eight heart-sons
of Shakyamuni Buddha. In the tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism, Vajrapani is typically shown in a wrathful form and historically he is the main recipient, holder and protector of all the Tantra texts and teachings received from the Buddha Shakyamuni.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 17 September 1998, lot 101
Price: USD 6,900 or approx.
EUR 12,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of Vajrapani, Tibet, 14th/15th century
Expert remark: Compare a the related pose, fierce expression, and lotus pedestal. Note the simpler tiara and adornments, as well as the size (20.2 cm).


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 20 September 2006, lot 122
Price: USD 19,200 or approx.
EUR 27,500
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of Vajrapani, Tibet 11th century
Expert remark: Compare the related pose and garland of severed heads. Note the better-preserved mandorla and nimbus as well as the earlier dating. Also note the size (14.5 cm).




西藏十三至十四世紀金剛手菩薩銅像

金剛手菩薩雙目圓睜，雙眉之間有白毫，蓄短鬚，忿怒相，袒胸露腹，頭戴骷髏花冠，火焰狀的赤飄揚於頭頂，左手持金剛鈴，右手高舉金剛杵，下身著虎皮裙，左展姿立於蓮座之上。後有光背。封底刻有雙金剛杵印記。


來源：
英國私人收藏，據說是從美國華盛頓特區Kenny & Higgins Asian Art藝廊購得。David Kenny和Kitty Higgins是著名的亞洲藝術品經銷商。他們在亞洲文物方面的專業知識源於他們對探索和旅行的濃厚熱情。從南美紡織品貿易開始，David和Kitty有著永不滿足的好奇心，慢慢沉浸在亞洲文化中。他們先後出版了幾本有關亞洲藝術的書並繼續在亞洲古董領域工作。

品相：
狀況良好，有磨損、鑄造不規則、凹痕和刻痕、明顯缺損，鎏金和顏料的殘留物。銅器整體覆蓋著一層自然包漿。

重量：369.1 克
尺寸：12.9 厘米


拍賣結果比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，1998年9月17日，lot 101
價格：USD 6,900（相當於今日
EUR 12,000
）
描述：十四至十五世紀金剛手菩薩銅像
專家評論：比較一件相近的姿勢，兇猛的表情和蓮座。請注意較簡單的王冠和光背，以及尺寸 (20.2 厘米)。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2006年9月20日，lot 122
價格：USD 19,200（相當於今日
EUR 27,500
）
描述：十一世紀金剛手菩薩銅像
專家評論：比較相近的姿勢和花環。請注意保存較好的曼陀羅和雨雲，以及年代較早。請注意尺寸 (14.5 厘米)。