Asian Art Auction

December 13, 2010

LOT 357

Lot 357

Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Figure of a Tara, Sino-Tibetan, 17th/18th Century

Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Figure of a Tara, Sino-Tibetan, 17th/18th Century
Lot 357 Details
Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Figure of a Tara, Sino-Tibetan, 17th/18th Century

Carved in the Pala style with downcast eyes and wearing a tall crown, the figure seated in lalitasana (one-legged ease) on a double lotus base, her left hand in varada mudra (granting of wishes), her right in padmapani mudra (lotus gesture), remnants of polychrome throughout, old restoration in later rhino horn to support the back with an old Chinese seal fragment
height 4" — 10.2 cm.
2.7 oz. — 84 grams

Estimate $15,000-$20,000

Realised: $88,750
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Figure of a Tara, Sino-Tibetan, 17th/18th Century
  • Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Figure of a Tara, Sino-Tibetan, 17th/18th Century
  • Rare Rhinoceros Horn Carved Figure of a Tara, Sino-Tibetan, 17th/18th Century
Provenance:

Ex Collection James and Marilyn Alsdorf, Chicago, 1970's
Sotheby’s Chicago, 1998

Note:

The form of this carving has its roots in Pala Indian iconography from the 11th century, and contains elements of Sino-Tibetan bronze examples from the Kangxi Period (1664-1722). Though probably carved by a master Tibetan artist, the use of an extremely valuable material such as rhinoceros horn, which removes so much of the material to produce an image sculpted fully in the round, is likely to have been a Chinese commission.
For a similar carving of the Green Tara (also missing the left hand and with losses to the ribbons) from the Gerard Levy Collection, Paris, please see Jan Chapman’s ’The Art of the Rhinoceros Carving’, London: Christie’s Books, 1999, no. 397.

CONDITION DETAILS

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A PREMIUM LOT. ANY BIDDING ON THIS LOT REQUIRES PRE-APPROVAL FROM THE ASIAN ART DEPARTMENT AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE SALE. Please contact [email protected] or 416.847.6185 for more information

LOT 357
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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.