AN INCSCRIBED GILT-COPPER FIGURE OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, NEPAL, LATE 13TH-EARLY 14TH CENTURY

Finely cast seated in dhyanasana on a lotus base, the hands in bhumisparsha mudra, dressed in a tightly fitted robe, a sash arranged over the left shoulder, and the pleaded folds neatly assembled before the feet. The face with a serene expression, downcast eyes centered by an urna, the hair in tight curls, surmounted by an ushnisha, and flanked by elongated earlobes. The upper front of the base with a short inscription.

The interior with an ancient sutra roll, covered in an inscribed textile, and organic material inside the head.

Inscriptions: To the base, ‘K Buddha [34 or 39]’

Provenance: Collection of Kees van der Ploeg. Christie’s Amsterdam, 16 June 1992, lot 55, estimate of NLG 10,000-15,000. The Presencer Collection of Buddhist Art, acquired from the above. Bonhams Hong Kong, 2 October 2018, lot 122, estimate of HKD 250,000 or EUR 31,000 (converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing), dated as 18^th century. The interior with two old labels, inscribed ‘Buddhit [sic] Nepal. 12^th c.’ and ‘Inscribed on base’. Cornelis Johannes (Kees) van der Ploeg Zoeterwoude (1907-1973) was a Dutch bulb grower, trade union leader, and politician for the Catholic People's Party (KVP). In 1958, on the recommendation of the States General of the Netherlands, Van der Ploeg also became a member of the European Parliament. Alain Presencer (b. 1939) is a renowned Tibetologist, collector, musician, and long-standing Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society. He began studying Buddhism at age 13, later training under Professor Mathera Sadhatissa at the University of Toronto in 1961-1962, before relocating to the UK in the 1970s to immerse himself in Tibetan culture. Over the past 60 years, Alain brought to the West his knowledge of the Himalayan region. By gaining access to remote monasteries, he amassed a comprehensive collection of Tibetan Buddhist artifacts, encompassing thangkas, ritual implements, statues, mandala plaques, and singing bowls. He also produced a popular recording of his own performances, introducing this musical genre to a global audience with his album 'The Singing Bowls of Tibet', which has sold over a million copies to date. Significant pieces from his collection were sold at his personal sale at Bonhams Hong Kong on 2 October 2018. Subsequently, Alain Presencer wrote a book on his lifelong field of study, titled Tibetan Buddhist Art and published in 2019, featuring images of several objects from his collection.
Published: Himalayan Art Resources, item number 61618.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear, casting irregularities, small nicks, few light scratches, rubbing to the gilt, and an old fill to the right elbow. The base unsealed.

Weight: 2 kg
Dimensions: Height 24.7 cm

Literature comparison:
Compare an earlier gilt copper figure of Shakyamuni, dated to the 11^th century, Nepal, illustrated by Ulrich von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1981, p. 325, no. 84C.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 15 March 2016, lot 242
Price: USD 32,500 or approx. EUR 37,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt bronze figure of Amitabha, Nepal, 14th century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and manner of casting with similar pose, broad shoulders, facial expression, and draping of the robe. Note the size (13 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 24 September 2020, lot 941
Price: USD 47,500 or approx. EUR 50,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt-bronze figure of buddha Shakyamuni, Nepal, Thakuri-early Malla period, 12th-13th century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and manner of casting with similar draping of the robe, facial expression, and flat curls. Note the size (13.3 cm) and incision work.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 21 March 2012, lot 809
Price: USD 50,000 or approx. EUR 60,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of Buddha, Tibeto-Chinese, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the broad shoulders, tightly fitting robe, neatly arranged hair, and color of the bronze. Note the size (27.9 cm) and blue pigment to the hair. Christie’s describes this figure as a revival of the Newari style of the 14^th-15^th century, and it is clearly of a later date than the present lot, but to this author looks earlier than the 18^th century.