13th Dec, 2023 13:00
Fine Asian Art Holiday Sale
10
A GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF TONPA SHENRAP
Sold for €11,700
including Buyer's Premium
Tibet. According to the accompanying invoice, ‘16th -17th century’. Crowned and bejeweled in regal dignity, Tonpa Shenrap, the founder of the Bon religion, seated in padmasana on a beaded double lotus base detailed with crisp individualized petals, his hands held together in dhyana mudra. The Bon left-turning yundrungs (swastikas) in bloom by his right shoulder.
Provenance: From the private collection of Aldo Maria Andrea Emilie Eggers-Lura (1924-1997), acquired during the 1950s to 1960s, during his stationing in the east for the East Asian Company, and thence by descent to Eric Eggers-Lura. Song Gallery: Chinese Art, Maja Stage & Eric Eggers-Lura, 26 June 1998. A Danish private collection, acquired from the above. A copy of the original signed invoice from Song Gallery, dated 22 June 1998 and dating the present lot to the 16th-17th century, accompanies this lot.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and casting irregularities. Tiny nicks and light scratches, rubbing to gilt, minor losses to inlays, some inlays replaced. The base resealed.
Weight: 1,600.9 g
Dimensions: Height 21.5 cm
With a silk storage box. (2)
Dressed in a dhoti with incised hems pooling elegantly at the base, the figure adorned with beaded jewelry and the face cast with a benevolent expression, the eyes downcast under arched brows, all flanked by pendulous earlobes with foliate medallion earrings, the head crowned with a foliate tiara enclosing the hair coiled into an elaborate chignon surmounted by a lotus finial.
Tonpa Shenrap, also known as Shenrap Miwo ("Supreme Priest, Great Man"), is considered by Bonpos to be enlightened teacher of Bon in the present world, whose role is comparable to that of Shakyamuni in Buddhism. His life story is recorded in Bon literature and painting. Born a prince, Tonpa Shenrap became king of Tazik, the holy land of Bon situated to Tibet's west. Tonpa Shenrap travelled widely to propagate the Bon doctrine through preaching and rituals. In Bon art, he can be represented in two appearances – a crowned and bejeweled form like the present lot, or a Buddha-like figure wearing monastic robes.
Tibet. According to the accompanying invoice, ‘16th -17th century’. Crowned and bejeweled in regal dignity, Tonpa Shenrap, the founder of the Bon religion, seated in padmasana on a beaded double lotus base detailed with crisp individualized petals, his hands held together in dhyana mudra. The Bon left-turning yundrungs (swastikas) in bloom by his right shoulder.
Provenance: From the private collection of Aldo Maria Andrea Emilie Eggers-Lura (1924-1997), acquired during the 1950s to 1960s, during his stationing in the east for the East Asian Company, and thence by descent to Eric Eggers-Lura. Song Gallery: Chinese Art, Maja Stage & Eric Eggers-Lura, 26 June 1998. A Danish private collection, acquired from the above. A copy of the original signed invoice from Song Gallery, dated 22 June 1998 and dating the present lot to the 16th-17th century, accompanies this lot.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and casting irregularities. Tiny nicks and light scratches, rubbing to gilt, minor losses to inlays, some inlays replaced. The base resealed.
Weight: 1,600.9 g
Dimensions: Height 21.5 cm
With a silk storage box. (2)
Dressed in a dhoti with incised hems pooling elegantly at the base, the figure adorned with beaded jewelry and the face cast with a benevolent expression, the eyes downcast under arched brows, all flanked by pendulous earlobes with foliate medallion earrings, the head crowned with a foliate tiara enclosing the hair coiled into an elaborate chignon surmounted by a lotus finial.
Tonpa Shenrap, also known as Shenrap Miwo ("Supreme Priest, Great Man"), is considered by Bonpos to be enlightened teacher of Bon in the present world, whose role is comparable to that of Shakyamuni in Buddhism. His life story is recorded in Bon literature and painting. Born a prince, Tonpa Shenrap became king of Tazik, the holy land of Bon situated to Tibet's west. Tonpa Shenrap travelled widely to propagate the Bon doctrine through preaching and rituals. In Bon art, he can be represented in two appearances – a crowned and bejeweled form like the present lot, or a Buddha-like figure wearing monastic robes.
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