A SINO-TIBETAN GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF VAJRADHARA

YONGLE SIX-CHARACTER MARK INCISED IN A LINE AND OF THE PERIOD (1403-1425)

Details

A SINO-TIBETAN GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF VAJRADHARA
Yongle six-character mark incised in a line and of the period (1403-1425)
Finely cast seated in padmasana on a double lotus base with beaded rims, his wrists crossed in vajrahumkara mudra while holding a vajra and bell, wearing a long flowing dhoti, beaded necklace and belt with jeweled ornaments, armbands, and bracelets, his face with a serene expression flanked by round earrings and surmounted by an eight-crested crown, his hair drawn into a high chignon and topped with a lotus bud finial, richly gilt overall and with facial features highlighted in polychrome
8½in. (21.6cm.) high

Lot Essay

Although bronze sculptures of Vajradhara are popular in Tibetan art, it is very rare to find a Yongle mark and period example, especially with such crisp casting and intact gilding. The devout Buddhist Emperor Yongle commissioned gilt bronzes of this type both for personal religious practices and as gifts for Tibetan emissaries. Created in the Imperial ateliers in Beijing, they are unsurpassed in technical mastery of casting, ornamental detailing, chasing, and gilding.

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