August 27, 2015: Bonhams has announced their upcoming Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art Sale to be held in New York on September 14, 2015. With over 123 lots and total estimates of US$2 3 million, the sale provides a selective offering of fine Himalayan bronzes and thangkas, Indian stone and Indian miniatures.
Highlights include a magnificent gilt copper alloy figure of Chakrasamvara, Tibet, 15th century estimated between $400,000600,000. 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.
A remarkably rare piece is a silver and copper inlaid copper alloy figure of Gayadhara, Tibet, circa 15th century estimated at $100,000150,000. It represents the Indian pandita, Gayadhara, an important Indian guru crucial to one of the most significant esoteric Tibetan Buddhist Practices. Interestingly, it is one of the few known identified portraits of Gayadhara.
In a sale that features works of excellent provenance, there is also a group of Tibetan thangkas from the collection of the late Tibetan scholar Lobsang P. Lhalungpa. Among his collection is an exquisite thangka depicting Arhat Pindola Bhadravajra, one of Buddha’s four original disciples. A thangka from an Arhat series: Pindola bharadvaja, Eastern Tibet, Palpung style, 18th century is estimated $20,00030,000.
Bonhams has announced a section within the sale devoted to raising funds for Nepal following the recent devastating earthquakes. The Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust and Save the Children will receive an equal share of the full hammer proceeds from this section and a donation from Bonhams.
