LOT 10
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A RARE AND IMPORTANT GILT-COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF THE TEACHING VIRUPA, TIBET, 16TH CENTURY
作品估价：EUR 6,000
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成交状态：未知
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28%
图录号：
10
拍品名称：
A RARE AND IMPORTANT GILT-COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF THE TEACHING VIRUPA, TIBET, 16TH CENTURY
拍品描述：
A RARE AND IMPORTANT GILT-COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF THE TEACHING VIRUPA, TIBET, 16TH CENTURY
The mahasiddha seated in ardha padmasana on a double lotus base with beaded upper rim and covered with an antelope skin, the hands forming the ‘teaching gesture’.
Wearing a short dhoti with neatly incised floral hems, his body adorned with armlets, a necklace, and a garland, all centered by a blossom. The face with a wrathful expression, mouth ajar revealing his teeth, bulging eyes below curled eyebrows, and framed by a short beard and curled fringe.
Provenance
: From a private estate in Belgium.
Condition
: Very good condition with expected old wear and casting irregularities, some rubbing to the gilt, few nicks and dents here and there, and light surface scratches. Remnants of ancient pigments. Original sealing.
Weight: 3.3 kg
Dimensions: Height 23.6 cm
The hair combed into a chignon with blossom-shaped finial, accentuated in red pigment, behind a floral crown. The long pendulous ears suspending circular earrings terminating in flowers. The base sealed with a gilt covered and incised double vajra.
This Tibetan sculpture depicts Virupa,
a 9th-century Buddhist master and mahasiddha who left monastic life to follow his own spiritual path. He is known for developing the meditative practice lamdre (‘the Path with the Result’). A former Nalanda abbot, he received divine inspiration from Vajra Nairatmya after years of failed practice with the Chakrasamvara Tantra. His unconventional rituals, involving meat and alcohol, led to his expulsion from Nalanda. As a wandering yogin, he performed miracles and solidified his legacy. Gilt-bronze figures of this deity started to be produced in China in the early 15th century, under the reign of the Yongle Emperor, who was a devout Buddhist himself.
Virupa is credited with performing many extraordinary deeds
, including parting the waters of the Ganges and drinking enormous amounts of alcoholic beverages. Once he was refused further liquor at a tavern unless he could pay, upon which he prevented the sun from setting for two days with his magical powers. The local king, highly concerned, settled his bill in order to free the sun.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related gilt-bronze figure of the God of Wealth, dated to the 16
th
century, in the Guanfu Museum, Beijing. Compare a related gilt-bronze figure of Virupa, dated to the 18
th
century in the Honolulu Museum of Art, accession number 13077.1.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams Paris, 11 June 2024, lot 14
Price:
EUR 1,258,400
Description: A gilt copper alloy figure of Virupa, attributed to Sonam Gyaltsen, Central Tibet, circa 1430-50
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of casting, including the similar base and floral garland. Note, however, the differences in size (14.6 cm), inscription, inlays, earlier dating, and higher quality, suggesting that this piece may have served as a prototype for the present lot and the one in the Guanfu Museum (see literature comparison above).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s Paris, 12 June 2012, lot 395
Price: EUR 61,000 or approx.
EUR 74,000
adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A fine copper and silver inlaid bronze figure of Virupa, Tibet, 16
th
century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and manner of casting with similar floral garland. Note the smaller size (15.6 cm) and inlays.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams New York, 14 March 2017, lot 3252
Price: USD 25,000 or approx.
EUR 31,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt copper alloy figure of Kanha, Central Tibet, 16
th
century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling with similar jewelry, manner of casting, and gilding. Note the smaller size (20 cm) and different subject.
The mahasiddha seated in ardha padmasana on a double lotus base with beaded upper rim and covered with an antelope skin, the hands forming the ‘teaching gesture’.
Wearing a short dhoti with neatly incised floral hems, his body adorned with armlets, a necklace, and a garland, all centered by a blossom. The face with a wrathful expression, mouth ajar revealing his teeth, bulging eyes below curled eyebrows, and framed by a short beard and curled fringe.
Provenance
: From a private estate in Belgium.
Condition
: Very good condition with expected old wear and casting irregularities, some rubbing to the gilt, few nicks and dents here and there, and light surface scratches. Remnants of ancient pigments. Original sealing.
Weight: 3.3 kg
Dimensions: Height 23.6 cm
The hair combed into a chignon with blossom-shaped finial, accentuated in red pigment, behind a floral crown. The long pendulous ears suspending circular earrings terminating in flowers. The base sealed with a gilt covered and incised double vajra.
This Tibetan sculpture depicts Virupa,
a 9th-century Buddhist master and mahasiddha who left monastic life to follow his own spiritual path. He is known for developing the meditative practice lamdre (‘the Path with the Result’). A former Nalanda abbot, he received divine inspiration from Vajra Nairatmya after years of failed practice with the Chakrasamvara Tantra. His unconventional rituals, involving meat and alcohol, led to his expulsion from Nalanda. As a wandering yogin, he performed miracles and solidified his legacy. Gilt-bronze figures of this deity started to be produced in China in the early 15th century, under the reign of the Yongle Emperor, who was a devout Buddhist himself.
Virupa is credited with performing many extraordinary deeds
, including parting the waters of the Ganges and drinking enormous amounts of alcoholic beverages. Once he was refused further liquor at a tavern unless he could pay, upon which he prevented the sun from setting for two days with his magical powers. The local king, highly concerned, settled his bill in order to free the sun.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related gilt-bronze figure of the God of Wealth, dated to the 16
th
century, in the Guanfu Museum, Beijing. Compare a related gilt-bronze figure of Virupa, dated to the 18
th
century in the Honolulu Museum of Art, accession number 13077.1.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams Paris, 11 June 2024, lot 14
Price:
EUR 1,258,400
Description: A gilt copper alloy figure of Virupa, attributed to Sonam Gyaltsen, Central Tibet, circa 1430-50
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of casting, including the similar base and floral garland. Note, however, the differences in size (14.6 cm), inscription, inlays, earlier dating, and higher quality, suggesting that this piece may have served as a prototype for the present lot and the one in the Guanfu Museum (see literature comparison above).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s Paris, 12 June 2012, lot 395
Price: EUR 61,000 or approx.
EUR 74,000
adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A fine copper and silver inlaid bronze figure of Virupa, Tibet, 16
th
century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and manner of casting with similar floral garland. Note the smaller size (15.6 cm) and inlays.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams New York, 14 March 2017, lot 3252
Price: USD 25,000 or approx.
EUR 31,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt copper alloy figure of Kanha, Central Tibet, 16
th
century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling with similar jewelry, manner of casting, and gilding. Note the smaller size (20 cm) and different subject.