1 / 12

Description

A BRONZE RITUAL CONCH SHELL WITH A FIGURE OF HEVAJRA WITH YOGINIS, ANGKOR PERIOD, BAYON STYLE

A BRONZE RITUAL CONCH SHELL WITH A FIGURE OF HEVAJRA WITH YOGINIS, ANGKOR PERIOD, BAYON STYLE Expert’s note: Primarily associated with the Hindu god Vishnu, the conch was used in both Hindu and Buddhist rituals in late 12th and early 13th century Khmer Empire, when a unique theology, incorporating various beliefs, developed as a result of the last of the great Hindu god-kings, Jayavarman VII, converting to Buddhism, after which Buddhist art flourished. Blown at the beginning of ceremonies, the instrument makes the sound of the sacred syllable “Om,” believed to purify the mind before meditation. The embellished bronze features a dancing, multiheaded Hevajra, a key deity in Vajrayana Buddhism, a sect that emphasizes ritual as a means to enlightenment. Khmer Empire, 12th-13th century. Large and well-cast with an impressive flaring tip in the form of a mythical bird head with a curved beak, bordered by flaming leafy scrolls, and the base with a tiered arrangement of lotus petals. The central panel decorated in relief with a depiction of a seated Hevajra with yoginis on each side, cast above the head of Kala (kirtimukha), the demon of passing time, all beneath an arched mandorla, flanked by nagas issuing from the mouth of makaras. Another head of Kala to the verso. The bronze with a smooth, naturally grown patina with malachite and azurite encrustations. Provenance: The collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above. PD Collection Paris, acquired from the above. Dr. István Zelnik, President of the Hungarian South and Southeast Asian Research Institute, is a former high-ranking Hungarian diplomat who spent several decades in Southeast Asia, building the largest known private collection of Asian art in Europe. Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Casting irregularities, old wear, signs of weathering and erosion, and a few cracks to the back, all as expected. The inside of the shell with remnants of excavation. Weight: 2,389.7 g Dimensions: Length 30 cm Literature comparison: Compare a closely related ritual conch with Hevajra, 12th century, 25.4 cm, in the collection of the Norton Simon Museum, accession number M.1977.30.14.S. Compare a closely ritual conch (sankha) with stand, Angkor period, in the collection of the NMC. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 27 March 2003, lot 187 Price: USD 5,975 or approx. EUR 9,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A ritual conch shell with stand, Khmer, Bayon Period, 12th/13th century Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling, manner of casting, patina, and similar beaked tip and kirtimukha masks. Note the similar size (29.8 cm) and the stand.

356 
Go to lot
<
>

A BRONZE RITUAL CONCH SHELL WITH A FIGURE OF HEVAJRA WITH YOGINIS, ANGKOR PERIOD, BAYON STYLE

Estimate 300 - 600 EUR
Starting price 300 EUR

* Not including buyer’s premium.
Please read the conditions of sale for more information.

Sale fees: 30 %
Leave bid
Register

For sale on Friday 28 Jun : 11:00 (CEST)
vienna, Austria
Galerie Zacke
+4315320452
Browse the catalogue Sales terms Sale info

Delivery to
Change delivery address
Delivery is not mandatory.
You may use the carrier of your choice.
The indicated price does not include the price of the lot or the auction house's fees.