NEPAL, 13TH CENTURY

The Khasa Mallas flourished between the 12th and 14th centuries and were great patrons of Buddhist art. During their reign techniques of bronze casting reached high levels of refinement, which would have a lasting impact throughout the centuries that followed (see I. Alsop, The Metal Sculpture of the Khasa Malla Kingdom', Orientations, June 1994, pp. 61-68). The present example includes a border motif on the sanghati that directly relates to Khasa Malla sculpture (see for example J. Watt, himalayanart.org, item no. 65687, and lot 341), incorporated into a figure that departs from Khasa Malla style in innovative ways, including the high double-lotus base with accentuated petals pulled in from the rims, the fantail of folds beneath the Buddha's crossed legs and the more compact proportions that endow the figure with a sense of upliftedness. The use of copper metal alloy and the impressive scale indicate a royal commission.