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AN IRON RITUAL STAFF, KHATVANGA, TIBET, 15TH CENTURY OR EARLIER
奥地利
2025年10月16日 开拍
拍品描述
Expert's note: The present khatvanga, radiating a fierce and primal energy, distinguishes itself from comparable examples through its unique interpretation of the three-heads motif. Traditionally, this motif comprises a freshly severed head, a decomposing head, and a skull, symbolizing the stages of mortality. In this instance, however, the heads belong to guardian deities, rendered in two progressive stages of wrath, imbuing the staff with a distinctly divine and protective character. This, along with the lack of any damascening, indicates this staff predates the famous 15th-century khatvangas associated with the Yongle court (see literature comparison). Also see a bronze and iron trishula with a human and a wrathful head, dated circa 14th century, 55 cm long, sold at Christie's Paris, 11 December 2013, lot 217, for EUR 12,500.The long shaft of decagonal section, boldly incised with a wave pattern, rising to a biconical section formed by two confronted bands of lotus petals framed by beaded rims, surmounted by two heads of wrathful protectors portrayed in stages of ferocity, the lower fiercer head with a skull crown and gritted teeth, both with bulging eyes and loose earrings, below a skull with deep eye sockets, and terminating at both ends in half-vajras. Provenance: The Presencer Collection of Buddhist Art. Alain Presencer (b. 1939) is a renowned Tibetologist, collector, musician, and long-standing Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society. He began studying Buddhism at age 13, later training under Professor Mathera Sadhatissa at the University of Toronto in 1961-1962, before relocating to the UK in the 1970s to immerse himself in Tibetan culture. Over the past 60 years, Alain brought to the West his knowledge of the Himalayan region. By gaining access to remote monasteries, he amassed a comprehensive collection of Tibetan Buddhist artifacts, encompassing thangkas, ritual implements, statues, mandala plaques, and singing bowls. He also produced a popular recording of his own performances, introducing this musical genre to a global audience with his album 'The Singing Bowls of Tibet', which has sold over a million copies to date. Significant pieces from his collection were sold at his personal sale at Bonhams Hong Kong on 2 October 2018. Subsequently, Alain Presencer wrote a book on his lifelong field of study, titled Tibetan Buddhist Art and published in 2019, featuring images of several objects from his collection. Condition: Very good condition with expected wear, manufacturing irregularities, surface corrosion, encrustations, few small nicks.Weight: 717 g Dimensions: Length 33.3 cmThe present staff is one that is rendered in many Tibetan paintings wherein it is typically wielded by wrathful deities in the crook of the left arm, meant to take the place of the wrathful deity's consort and to symbolize the union of wisdom and emptiness. The severed heads are intended to represent the violent destruction of the three root poisons (ignorance, attachment, and anger). Standalone khatvangas such as the present lot are typically used in empowerment rituals. Larger ones could also be placed on an altar and worshiped as sacred images. See Michael Henss, Buddhist Ritual Art of Tibet, 2020, p. 182.Literature comparison: Compare a Ming-dynasty damascened iron khatvanga, 44 cm long, with a Yongle reign mark and of the period, in the British Museum, registration number 1981,0207.1.Auction result comparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Bonhams Paris, 15 December 2022, lot 127Price: EUR 38,175 or approx. EUR 41,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing: A silver damascened iron ritual staff (khatvanga), Eastern Tibet, Derge, 15th century?Expert remark: Compare the form of the shaft and vajra finials, as well as the iron material. Note the size (44 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Bonhams New York, 17 March 2014, lot 23 Price: USD 10,000 or approx. EUR 11,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing : An iron Vajrakila purbhua, Tibet, circa 13th century Expert remark: Compare the related workmanship, material, and decoration with similar beading, wrathful faces, and loose earrings. Note the similar size (35.6 cm) and different form.

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拍品估价:700 - 1,500 欧元 起拍价格:700 欧元  买家佣金:

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