Until 2nd Apr, 2025
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A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF MAHAKALA, 18TH CENTURY
LOT 19 - FAS0424
Tibetan-Chinese. Finely, heavily cast striding in alidhasana with his right hand raised holding a vajra chopper (kartri) and his left holding a skull cup (kapala), wearing a tiger skin tied below his bulging belly, incised to the tiger’s forehead on the back with the Chinese character ‘wang’ (meaning ‘king’), adorned with a garland of severed heads as well as beaded festoons, sashes, and a snake, the ferocious face with open mouth and bulging eyes surmounted by a skull tiara, the hair rising in flames.
Provenance: Canadian trade. Acquired from an old private collection.
Condition: Good condition with some wear, casting irregularities, losses, small nicks, light scratches, casting flaws, and remnants of pigments. The associated wood stand with wear and natural age cracks.
Weight: 1,2 kg (excl. base), 1.4 kg (incl. base)
Dimensions: Height 17.5 cm (excl. base), 19.3 cm (incl. base)
Mounted to a modern wood stand. (2)
Expert’s note: The open mouth displays a small aperture where one fang was once attached. Smaller details, such as this fang, were separately cast and added to the figure, which showcases the effort and craftsmanship that went into manufacturing these casts.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 21 March 2012, lot 798
Price: USD 12,500 or approx. EUR 15,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt bronze figure of Vajrapani, Tibet or Tibeto-Chinese, 17th/18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling with similar pose, face, sashes, and jewelry. Note the size (14.6 cm) and missing base.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 16 September 2014, lot 266
Price: USD 17,500 or approx. EUR 20,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt bronze figure of Mahakala, Tibeto-Chinese, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the related pose and fine details, note the related size (17 cm) and missing base.
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