TIBETO-CHINESE, 18TH CENTURY

Details

A large Imperial gilt and polychromed wood figure of Garuda
Tibeto-Chinese, 18th Century
Powerfully carved in a perched position with arms and wings outstretched, his hands grasping the ends of a snake held in his beak, adorned with multiple beaded necklaces and armlets, a billowing scarf around his shoulders, his face with protruding beak and large eyes the forehead centered by the third eye and surmounted by flaming hair, covered in gold lacquer and hair with red polychromy
38 in. (96.5 cm.) high

Provenance

Private Collection, US, before 1969
Christie's, New York, 21 March 2008, lot 631

Lot Essay

This remarkable sculpture with immense power and bold carving follows Tibetan prototypes, but utilises Chinese sculptural techniques in wood and gold lacquer. It is executed in the Imperial style of Qianlong and was very likely associated with one of the Lamaist temples constructed during his reign.

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