Gilt copper Tibetan figure will lead Asian art sale

A Tibetan gilt copper figure of Chakrasmvara is the lead lot of Bonhams' September 14 sale in New York.

It's expected to sell for around $400,000-600,000.

Bronze tibet Bonhams
The bronze figure of Chakrasmvara dates to the 15th century

Made in the Yongle era (15th century), it is a hugely important work and a prime example of Tibetan craftsmanship.

Bonhams comments: "The piece expresses one of the most important transcendental ideals in Buddhist art - the supreme bliss of enlightenment attained through the perfect union of wisdom and compassion.

"It is a masterpiece of Tibetan sculpture."

Another Tibetan figure in silver and copper, the Indian guru Gayadhara, is valued at $100,000-150,000.

Mark Rasmussen, Asian art specialist at Bonhams, comments: ​"This sale comprises another tight grouping of works, selected for their quality, that particularly appeal to buoyant markets today.

"At the core is a varied group of Himalayan sculptures attesting to highpoints in the history of the Himalayas and surrounding regions."

The record for a Tibetan bronze stands at $30m, paid for a 15th century statue of Buddha at Sotheby's New York in 2013.

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