Sotheby's Press Release for Cambodian Statue
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Transcript of Sotheby's Press Release for Cambodian Statue
For Immediate ReleasePress Release New York
New York | +1 212 606 7176 | Lauren Gioia | [email protected] | Dan Abernethy | [email protected] |
Indian & Southeast Asian Works of Art At Sotheby’s New York
Auction: 24 March 2011
Exhibition Opens: 18 March
Sotheby Indian & Southeast Asian Works of Art sale will be led by a spectacular 10th century Khmer Koh Ker
period Athlete from a European private collection (est. $2/3 million). Acquired by the original owner over
40 years ago, the figure is mate to the Koh Ker athlete at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena that is
almost identical in posture and physical appearance. The sale also includes early South and Southeast Asian
stone and bronze sculpture, Indian miniature painting, Tibetan and Himalayan bronzes, the famous Pearl
Canopy of Baroda, Raj-era silver and fine ivory works. Overall the 112 lot auction is estimated to fetch
$8.2/12.2 million.
2
The Khmer Athlete was commissioned by emperor Jayavarman IV (r. 914 – 928) for his new capital at Koh
Ker 80 miles north of Angkor. Koh Ker sculptures are among the great masterpieces of Khmer art. The
impressive size and quality of the figure reflects the prestige and importance of the ruler who commissioned it
as well of the skill of his craftsmen. The Athlete’s pose derives from Cambodian dance postures which often
depicted Hindu epics and mythology. These dances have been a constant feature in the country’s long
history. The imposing stance of this figure indicates that it was more significant than a mere temple guardian.
Indeed, the Athlete would have been a major mythological figure, instantly recognizable to the Khmer elite of
the day and this depiction stands as one of the great achievements of Khmer art.
A further important Khmer work in the sale is a sandstone Standing Shiva,
Baphuon style, from the 11th century (est. $300/500,000). This
beautifully modeled figure is arguably one of the finest sculptures of the
Baphuon School. Its expressive face includes a third eye on the forehead
identifying the figure as Shiva.
An exquisite silver and copper inlaid Pala
bronze from eastern India depicting the
bodhisattva Manjushri, one of the most iconic deities in Mahayana Buddhism,
belongs to the 11th /12th century (est. $200/300,000). This superb
sculpture demonstrates the refinement of Pala figuration which was known for
its elegance and highly stylized motifs.
The section on South Indian bronzes is highlighted by a fine copper alloy
sculpture of the Jina Parsvanatha dating to the 9th century that has been in
the same collection for nearly 50 years (est. $150/200,000). The unclad
figure of the Jina stands on a tiered plinth scattered with ritual implements.
The unusual anchor shaped srivatsa on the Jina’s chest as well as the
paleography of the Grantha inscription on the base, confirm the sculpture’s
early date.
3
A pair of exceptional Tibeto-Chinese gilt bronzes from the Qing
Dynasty are highlights of the Tibetan works in the sale (est.
$150/200,000 each). The sculptures depict The Arhats Kalika
and Ajita, enlightened disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha.
The group of Indian miniatures in the sale is led by An
Illustration to the Gita Govinda: Krishna Adorns his
beloved Radha (est. $150/250,000). The painting
depicts a scene from the Gita Govinda (Song of the
Dark Lord) composed by the 12th century poet
Jayadeva. The verse is homage to the incarnation of the
Supreme Being Vishnu as Krishna, the Divine Lover.
Here Krishna is seen tenderly tying a jeweled girdle around the waist of his beloved Radha after their tryst on
the banks of the Yamuna.
The auction ends with a selection of fine decorative works
including a pair of rare ceremonial ivory sandals of Sri Lankan
origin dating to the 18th/19th century (est. $40/60,000, right),
a sumptuous early-19th century gilt silver Pandaan of Deccani
origin (est. $80/120,000) and a pair of finely-wrought silver
goblets by Omerse Mawji of Kutch (est. $30/50,000) the
lead Raj-era silversmith of India.
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