A GILT COPPER REPOUSSÉ ‘LION AND ELEPHANT’ PANEL, TIBET, 17TH-18TH CENTURY
Lot 274 - FAS1025

Expressively modeled, the snow lion balances atop the back of a caparisoned elephant, one clawed hand raised and clutching a sacred jewel in one raised forearm, the face with a ferocious expression with bulging eyes, exposed fangs and turquoise mane, a tasseled collar around its neck. The elephant with its face turned to the back, long tusks and mouth gently agape revealing the vibrant red interior, all enclosed within tall pillars.

Provenance: From a private collection in Denmark.
Condition: The fragment in good condition with expected wear and manufacturing irregularities, obvious losses, warping and minor dents, scattered light nicks and surface scratches, small tears, little rubbing to gilt, extensive remnants of pigment.

Weight: 265.1 g
Dimensions: Height 26.2 cm

Expert’s note:
The present lot was probably originally part of a torana or throne for an important large-scale figure, see a related gilt-copper repoussé torana fragment at Christie’s New York, 17 September 1999, illustrated on Himalayan Art Resources, item no. 23150. In Tibetan Buddhism the throne back or torana is often decorated with symbolic animals and figures, including elephants and lions. The elephant, symbolizing strength and steadfastness, is typically shown at the base of the throne. The snow lion, with its white body and turquoise mane, is especially important as the national emblem of Tibet and a protector of the Buddha. Snow lions are frequently shown supporting the Buddha’s throne, and pairs of Buddhist lions also appear on stupas and statues throughout the Himalayan region. A thangka of Buddha Shakyamuni from eastern Tibet, dated to the 18^th century, in the Rubin Museum of Art, shows a similar pose for the elephants and lions flanking the central figure, see Himalayan Art Resources, item number 456.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 25 March 2004, lot 112
Price: USD 4,541 or approx. EUR 6,700 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt copper repoussé lion, Tibet, circa 17^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling, repoussé work, and subject, with similar green and red pigments, albeit lacking the elephant depicted in the present lot. Note the size (34.2 cm) and that this lion is a fragment from a throne.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s Amsterdam, 21 November 2001, lot 117
Price: EUR 6,462 or approx. EUR 11,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Tibetan gilt-copper panel, 18^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling, repoussé work, and subject, albeit lacking the elephant depicted in the present lot. Note the size (48 x 43 cm).