A gilded bronze sculpture depicting a Tibetan lama will go under the hammer on June 5, 2024. This statue, dating back to the 18th century, presents an idealized portrait of a master of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

This artwork, rare and spectacular in its dimensions but also in its quality, bears witness to the mastery achieved by Himalayan artisans. They have become masters in the art of casting, as well as in engraving and repoussé, as illustrated by the delicacy of the floral scrolls adorning the monastic robe, the beauty of the hands forming the teaching mudra, or the suppleness of the garment folds. The whole is enhanced by a rich and beautiful mercury gilding characteristic of the region and the quality of the production.

This piece is part of a context of renewed influence of Tibetan Buddhism within the Chinese Empire. Tibetan Buddhism had experienced an unprecedented expansion in the 13th century through Mongol conquests, particularly among the nomads of Far East Asia, but had also become the state religion in China under the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368).

In 1644, the Manchus, a nomadic population from northern China, seized power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Their emperors, devout Buddhists and deeply attached to their nomadic traditions, made extensive efforts to promote and patronize Tibetan Buddhism throughout their empire, whose territory reached an unprecedented size in the 18th century. This led to significant artistic, political, and diplomatic exchanges between Tibetan monasteries and the Chinese government, as evidenced by this presented work, whose quality likely destined it for a wealthy temple or monastery.

Upcoming auction
Wenesday 5 june 2024

For more information or to include an item in our sales, please contact us
Clémentine Guyot
Head of Asian Art Department
+33 1 84 20 09 18
guyot@aguttes.com