Exquisite $600,000 Buddha sits serenely atop Christie's Indian art sale
Interest in Christie's Asian art series is hotting up as bidders are flocking to see the lots in their Japanese, Korean and Chinese art auctions.

On September 13, however, the afternoon will be devoted to the classical works of Indian and Southeast Asian Art. Christie's will offer an extensive selection of over 200 lots of sculpture, paintings, ritual objects, and works of art from India, Tibet, Nepal and Southeast Asia.

Several notable collections will also be featured in the sale, including The Burkhart Collection, as well as Property from the Dr. David Nalin Collection, which has a large focus on stone and stucco sculpture from the Gandharan region.

Highlighting the sale of Indian & Southeast Asian Art is an exquisite gilt bronze figure of Buddha (estimate: $400,000-600,000). Completed in the 14th century in Nepal, this exquisite bronze is elegantly modeled in the refined Newari style.

Large gilt bronze Buddha from 14th century Nepal
The magnificent gilt bronze Buddha from 14th century Nepal

 

The sale presents The Burkhart Collection, a selection of more than 30 quality works from a notable collector. Hanspeter Burkhart, a successful Swiss lawyer by profession began collecting Tibetan art from the mid 1980s.

His collection focuses on images of Tara among others and includes a gilt bronze figure of Green Tara from 16th /17th century Tibet (estimate: $20,000-30,000).

Regarded as the female boddhisatva, Tara is one of the most widely worshipped female figures of Buddhism and the Green Tara, being one of the more commonly depicted of the 21 forms, is associated with protection from fear.

Also available is a stunning Chola bronze of Chandeshvara from the 12th century (estimate: $400,000-600,000). The Shaiva saints are known as nayanmars or leaders, whose hymns form the sacred canon of South India.

This 22 inch tall depiction of Chandeshvara stands with his hands clasped before him, truly personifying the Hindu notion of bhakti, the loving state of devotion.

From a private Swiss Collection is an outstanding Gandharan gray schist figure of a bodhisattva from the 2nd/3rd century (estimate: $180,000-250,000).

The figure sits with a serene expression on a throne with claw feet. The execution of the jewelry, with the necklace elegantly suspended across the shoulder, and the fluid drapery spilling over the throne is quite extraordinary.

A bronze figure of a royal donor or saint from the Vijayanagara period in South India will also be featured (estimate: $300,000-500,000).

Superbly executed, the sculpture appears to be imbued with individualized features, suggesting a portrait of a royal donor. The face is with a deeply spirited expression, and unusually is framed by a goatee.

Christie's sale takes place in New York. Watch this space for the results of this exciting sale.

 

 

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