China, Inner Mongolia. Finely cast, seated with the body gently swaying, her left hand in vitarka mudra, the oval face with pointed chin, downcast eyes below joined eyebrows centered by a large silver-inlaid urna, and bow-shaped lips. Her long hair falls elegantly in curled tresses over her shoulders and is gathered in a high chignon topped by a jewel, behind the elaborate silver- and turquoise-inlaid foliate tiara. Her body is adorned with beaded jewelry richly inlaid with turquoises and rubies, and the dhoti and hems are neatly incised with clouds and floral brocade patterns.

Provenance: From a noted private collection, acquired from a French art dealer long time ago.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and casting irregularities, minuscule nicks, light scratches, few minute dents, minor rubbing to gilt, few losses to inlays and others possibly replaced.

Weight: 1.6 kg (excl. stand), 2.3 kg (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 23.4 cm (excl. stand), 26.9 cm (incl. stand)

With a modern stand. (2)

Expert’s note:
The style and subject of the present bronze are consistent with production at Dolonnor while the Qing Empire was at its pinnacle strength. The rich hardstone and silver inlays, the incised patterning of the robe, and the large urna are however reminiscent of an earlier style propagated by Newari craftsmen. See, for example, a 16^th-century silver-inlaid gilt-bronze figure of Manjushri with similar inlays at Christie’s New York, 13 September 2016, lot 216; and a 15^th-century gilt copper alloy figure of Tara with similar urna and jewelry at Bonhams Hong Kong, 27 November 2024, lot 1018.

Dolon Nor, also known as Dolonnor or Dolonnur, is a town in Duolun County in the Inner Mongolia region of China. It is of historical importance because the remnants of Shangdu, the summer capital of Kublai Khan and the following Mongol emperors of the Yuan dynasty (13th and 14th century), are located 28 kilometers northwest of the modern town. Beginning in the mid-17th century, the Manchu emperors of the Qing dynasty developed the city as a religious center.

Dolonnor bronzes were made to populate a rapid expansion of Buddhist temples throughout the Qing Empire's borderlands in Central Asia. Therefore, it is perhaps no coincidence that Sitatapatra was a popular subject in this context, given that the Mongol Yuan dynasty worshipped her for her ability to destroy enemies and overcome disasters (see Lopez Jr., The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, Princeton, 2014).

Sitatapatra (Sanskrit: ‘White Parasol’) is a bodhisattva and protector against supernatural danger in Buddhism. She is venerated in both the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions. She is a powerful independent deity emanated by Gautama Buddha from his ushnisha. Whoever practices her mantra will be reborn in Amitabha’s pure land of Sukhavati.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 5 October 2020, lot 122
Price: HKD 113,125 or approx. EUR 15,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt copper alloy figure of Sitatapatra, Dolonnor, Inner Mongolia, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the similar pose, treatment of the jewelry and crown, and facial features. Note the similar size (26 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 2 October 2018, lot 89
Price: HKD 187,500 or approx. EUR 26,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt copper alloy figure of Syamatara, Dolonnor, Inner Mongolia, 18^th century
Expert remark: Compare the related subject, manner of casting, and gilding. Note the larger size (30 cm).