Himalayan masterpieces at Bonhams Asia Week auction

Himalayan masterpieces from the 14th to 16th century will lead Bonhams' Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art auction here on March 16, auctioneers said today.
A magnificent lineage portrait thangka of the ninth and tenth Abbots from Ngor monastery, the star lot of the sale, sourced from a distinguished private European collection is estimated to fetch between USD 800,000 and USD 1,200,000.
"The thangka, made in 1557, is an extremely rare example of 16th century painting from Central Tibet," auctioneers said.
The distemper-on-cloth work is boldly colored using a primary palette with heavy gold outlining and presents the central figures seated next to each other.

The composition is framed by the abbots of the Ngor order and is inscribed at the bottom, commemorating the ascendancy of the eleventh abbot.
Another lot, a gilt copper alloy figure of the prominent composite deity, Chakrasamvara and expected to fetch between USD 500,000 and USD 700,000, comes from the same private European collection.

The masterpiece depicts the eponymous twelve-armed male deity and the female deity, Vajravarahi, locked in a passionate embrace. The sculpture is expertly detailed and both figures are beautifully gilded and embellished with jewelry.
Another important lot is a large thangka of Shakyamuni, from Western Tibet and dated 14th century, estimated to fetch between USD 300,000 to USD 500,000.

Measuring 82.5 by 41 inches, the thangka is one of the largest surviving Tibetan paintings from any period. Tibetan Buddhists regard Shakyamuni as the single greatest authority on the Buddhist teachings.
The thangka depicts Buddha on a throne in the act of teaching and flanked by his two of his closest disciples, Shariputra and Maudgalyayana.