11th Oct, 2023 11:00

THREE-DAY AUCTION - Fine Chinese Art / 中國藝術集珍 / Buddhism & Hinduism

 
  Lot 182
 

182

A COPPER-INLAID COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF DEVI, NEPAL, 10TH-11TH CENTURY
尼泊爾十至十一世紀鎏金鑲銅提毗像

Sold for €1,950

including Buyer's Premium


Lot details


Expert’s note:
The remarkable degree of wear originating from sustained ritual procedures is a common trait of the earliest Nepalese sculpture that is directly handled during worship. With the features almost worn smooth, the present figure’s divine face has taken on an additional ethereal trait, amplifying her divine qualities.

Elegantly cast standing on a pedestal with her legs crossed, shifting her weight to the right, holding a copper-inlaid lotus stem in her right hand, her dhoti drawn tightly over her thighs and neatly incised, her body richly adorned with beaded jewelry, the hair pulled back with a jeweled crown atop.

Provenance: Wiener Kunstauktionen, Vienna, Austria, 29 September 1994, lot 1124. Collection of Maria and Johannes Nickl, acquired from the above and thence by descent in the same family. A copy of the original invoice from Wiener Kunstauktionen, dated 29 September 1994, describing the present lot as a figure of Devi, confirming the dating above, and stating a purchase price of ATS 22,196 (or approx. EUR 3,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing), accompanies this lot. Maria (1926-2022) and Johannes Nickl (d. 2020) lived in Vienna, Austria, and were ardent collectors of Asian, Buddhist, and Egyptian works of art. They were highly active in Vienna’s tight-knit Asian art trade and assembled most of their collection during the 1980s and 1990s, frequently buying from Galerie Zacke and later Galerie Asboth. The couple were also noted museum patrons and their names are still found on the Ehrentafel (‘Roll of Honor’) of the Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien (Museum of Fine Arts Vienna) today.
Condition: Good condition with extensive wear, predominantly from centuries of worship within the culture. Remnants of gilt. Tiny nicks, losses, and light scratches. The base with an old fill.

Weight: 102.9 g
Dimensions: Height 8 cm

Please click here to read the full description

As Lakshmi, Parvati, and Tara are all known to hold the lotus seed as an attribute, Devi (the Sanskrit word for goddess) is an encompassing term that refers to the goddess regardless of her many forms. Having had several names during her long published history, statues such as the present lot have most commonly been identified as Devi on the basis of the ambiguity of her lone attribute, the lotus seed or gem.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 7 October 2019, lot 924
Price: HKD 250,625 or approx. EUR 32,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt copper figure of Surya, Nepal, circa 10th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of casting, copper alloy material, and extensive wear. Note the slightly larger size (11.6 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 19 March 2014, lot 1037
Price: USD 12,500 or approx. EUR 15,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of Padmapani, Nepal, Licchavi period, circa 10th century
Expert remark: Compare the related style, material, casting technique and wear from worship within the culture. Note the slightly larger size (10.8 cm).

点此阅读中文翻译 (Chinese Translation)

尼泊爾十至十一世紀鎏金鑲銅提毗像

神女造型優雅,盤腿立於台座上,重心右移,右手執鑲銅蓮花莖,腰係布巾,身上綴滿珠飾,頭髮向後梳,頭頂鑲寶王冠。

專家注釋:由於祭祀儀式造成的顯著磨損是尼泊爾造像的一個共同特徵。隨著五官幾乎被磨得光滑,現在的女神臉龐呈現出更加祥和的特徵,增添了她的神聖品質。

來源:奧地利維也納藝術拍賣,1994年9月29日,lot 1124;Mara與Johannes Nickl收藏,購於上述拍賣,在同一家族保存至今。隨附一份維亞納藝術拍賣行1994年9月29日出具的原始發票複印件,描述這件拍品為提毗像,確認了斷代,售價為 ATS 22,196 (或相當於 EUR 3,000 ,根據通貨膨脹率)。Maria (1926-2022年) 與 Johannes Nickl (d. 2020年) 住在奧地利維也納,是亞洲、佛教和埃及藝術品的熱心收藏家。他們在維也納的亞洲藝術貿易中非常活躍,並在 1980 年代和 90 年代收集了大部分藏品,經常從 Zacke 藝廊和後來的 Asboth藝廊購買。 這對夫婦也是著名的博物館贊助人,他們的名字至今仍出現在維也納藝術史博物館(維也納美術博物館)埃及和近東藏品的榮譽榜上。
品相:狀況良好,大面積磨損,應爲使用所致。鎏金殘餘,微小的刻痕、缺損和輕微的劃痕。底座舊時填補。

重量:102.9 克
尺寸:高 8 釐米

吉祥天女、雪山神女和度母都手持蓮花。提毗梵語即為“女神”之意,象徵了神聖的女性面,婆羅門教奉行一元論,認為提毗是所有女神的原型,所有的印度女神都只是提毗不同的外觀而已。

拍賣結果比較:
形制:相近
拍賣:香港邦瀚斯,2019年10月7日,lot 924
價格:HKD 250,625(相當於今日EUR 32,000
描述:尼泊爾約十世紀銅鎏金太陽神像
專家評論:比較非常相近的鑄造風格、銅合金和大面積磨損。請注意尺寸稍大 (11.6 釐米)。

拍賣結果比較:
形制:相近
拍賣:紐約佳士得,2014年3月19日,lot 1037
價格:USD 12,500(相當於今日EUR 15,000
描述:大約十世紀尼泊爾尼波羅國蓮花生大士銅像
專家評論:比較相近的風格、材質和鑄造技術,以及使用痕跡。請注意尺寸稍大 (10.8 釐米)。
 


Expert’s note:
The remarkable degree of wear originating from sustained ritual procedures is a common trait of the earliest Nepalese sculpture that is directly handled during worship. With the features almost worn smooth, the present figure’s divine face has taken on an additional ethereal trait, amplifying her divine qualities.

Elegantly cast standing on a pedestal with her legs crossed, shifting her weight to the right, holding a copper-inlaid lotus stem in her right hand, her dhoti drawn tightly over her thighs and neatly incised, her body richly adorned with beaded jewelry, the hair pulled back with a jeweled crown atop.

Provenance: Wiener Kunstauktionen, Vienna, Austria, 29 September 1994, lot 1124. Collection of Maria and Johannes Nickl, acquired from the above and thence by descent in the same family. A copy of the original invoice from Wiener Kunstauktionen, dated 29 September 1994, describing the present lot as a figure of Devi, confirming the dating above, and stating a purchase price of ATS 22,196 (or approx. EUR 3,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing), accompanies this lot. Maria (1926-2022) and Johannes Nickl (d. 2020) lived in Vienna, Austria, and were ardent collectors of Asian, Buddhist, and Egyptian works of art. They were highly active in Vienna’s tight-knit Asian art trade and assembled most of their collection during the 1980s and 1990s, frequently buying from Galerie Zacke and later Galerie Asboth. The couple were also noted museum patrons and their names are still found on the Ehrentafel (‘Roll of Honor’) of the Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien (Museum of Fine Arts Vienna) today.
Condition: Good condition with extensive wear, predominantly from centuries of worship within the culture. Remnants of gilt. Tiny nicks, losses, and light scratches. The base with an old fill.

Weight: 102.9 g
Dimensions: Height 8 cm

Please click here to read the full description

As Lakshmi, Parvati, and Tara are all known to hold the lotus seed as an attribute, Devi (the Sanskrit word for goddess) is an encompassing term that refers to the goddess regardless of her many forms. Having had several names during her long published history, statues such as the present lot have most commonly been identified as Devi on the basis of the ambiguity of her lone attribute, the lotus seed or gem.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 7 October 2019, lot 924
Price: HKD 250,625 or approx. EUR 32,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt copper figure of Surya, Nepal, circa 10th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of casting, copper alloy material, and extensive wear. Note the slightly larger size (11.6 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 19 March 2014, lot 1037
Price: USD 12,500 or approx. EUR 15,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of Padmapani, Nepal, Licchavi period, circa 10th century
Expert remark: Compare the related style, material, casting technique and wear from worship within the culture. Note the slightly larger size (10.8 cm).

点此阅读中文翻译 (Chinese Translation)

尼泊爾十至十一世紀鎏金鑲銅提毗像

神女造型優雅,盤腿立於台座上,重心右移,右手執鑲銅蓮花莖,腰係布巾,身上綴滿珠飾,頭髮向後梳,頭頂鑲寶王冠。

專家注釋:由於祭祀儀式造成的顯著磨損是尼泊爾造像的一個共同特徵。隨著五官幾乎被磨得光滑,現在的女神臉龐呈現出更加祥和的特徵,增添了她的神聖品質。

來源:奧地利維也納藝術拍賣,1994年9月29日,lot 1124;Mara與Johannes Nickl收藏,購於上述拍賣,在同一家族保存至今。隨附一份維亞納藝術拍賣行1994年9月29日出具的原始發票複印件,描述這件拍品為提毗像,確認了斷代,售價為 ATS 22,196 (或相當於 EUR 3,000 ,根據通貨膨脹率)。Maria (1926-2022年) 與 Johannes Nickl (d. 2020年) 住在奧地利維也納,是亞洲、佛教和埃及藝術品的熱心收藏家。他們在維也納的亞洲藝術貿易中非常活躍,並在 1980 年代和 90 年代收集了大部分藏品,經常從 Zacke 藝廊和後來的 Asboth藝廊購買。 這對夫婦也是著名的博物館贊助人,他們的名字至今仍出現在維也納藝術史博物館(維也納美術博物館)埃及和近東藏品的榮譽榜上。
品相:狀況良好,大面積磨損,應爲使用所致。鎏金殘餘,微小的刻痕、缺損和輕微的劃痕。底座舊時填補。

重量:102.9 克
尺寸:高 8 釐米

吉祥天女、雪山神女和度母都手持蓮花。提毗梵語即為“女神”之意,象徵了神聖的女性面,婆羅門教奉行一元論,認為提毗是所有女神的原型,所有的印度女神都只是提毗不同的外觀而已。

拍賣結果比較:
形制:相近
拍賣:香港邦瀚斯,2019年10月7日,lot 924
價格:HKD 250,625(相當於今日EUR 32,000
描述:尼泊爾約十世紀銅鎏金太陽神像
專家評論:比較非常相近的鑄造風格、銅合金和大面積磨損。請注意尺寸稍大 (11.6 釐米)。

拍賣結果比較:
形制:相近
拍賣:紐約佳士得,2014年3月19日,lot 1037
價格:USD 12,500(相當於今日EUR 15,000
描述:大約十世紀尼泊爾尼波羅國蓮花生大士銅像
專家評論:比較相近的風格、材質和鑄造技術,以及使用痕跡。請注意尺寸稍大 (10.8 釐米)。

Zacke Live Online Bidding

Our online bidding platform makes it easier than ever to bid in our auctions! When you bid through our website, you can take advantage of our premium buyer's terms without incurring any additional online bidding surcharges.

To bid live online, you'll need to create an online account. Once your account is created and your identity is verified, you can register to bid in an auction up to 12 hours before the auction begins. 

Create an Account

  

Intended Spend and Bid Limits

When you register to bid in an online auction, you will need to share your intended maximum spending budget for the auction. We will then review your intended spend and set a bid limit for you. Once you have pre-registered for a live online auction, you can see your intended spend and bid limit by going to 'Account Settings' and clicking on 'Live Bidding Registrations'. 

Your bid limit will be the maximum amount you can bid during the auction. Your bid limit is for the hammer price and is not affected by the buyer’s premium and VAT.  For example, if you have a bid limit of €1,000 and place two winning bids for €300 and €200, then you will only be able to bid €500 for the rest of the auction. If you try to place a bid that is higher than €500, you will not be able to do so.

 

Online Absentee and Telephone Bids

You can now leave absentee and telephone bids on our website! 

Absentee Bidding

Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave your absentee bid directly on the lot page. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.

Telephone Bidding

Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave telephone bids online. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.

Telephone Bidding Form

 

Classic Absentee and Telephone Bidding Form

You can still submit absentee and telephone bids by email or fax if you prefer. Simply fill out the Absentee Bidding/Telephone bidding form and return it to us by email at office@zacke.at or by fax at +43 (1) 532 04 52 20. You can download the PDF from our Upcoming Auctions page. 

 

How-To Guides

How to Create Your Personal Zacke Account
How to Register to Bid on Zacke Live
How to Leave Absentee Bids Online
How to Leave Telephone Bids Online

 

中文版本的操作指南 

创建新账号
注册Zacke Live在线直播竞拍(免平台费)
缺席投标和电话投标

 

Third-Party Bidding

We partner with best-in-class third-party partners to make it easy for you to bid online in the channel of your choice. Please note that if you bid with one of our third-party online partners, then there will be a live bidding surcharge on top of your final purchase price. You can find all of our fees here. Here's a full list of our third-party partners:

  • 51 Bid Live
  • EpaiLive
  • ArtFoxLive
  • Invaluable
  • LiveAuctioneers
  • the-saleroom
  • lot-tissimo
  • Drouot

Please note that we place different auctions on different platforms. For example, in general, we only place Chinese art auctions on 51 Bid Live.

  

Bidding in Person

You must register to bid in person and will be assigned a paddle at the auction. Please contact us at office@zacke.at or +43 (1) 532 04 52 for the latest local health and safety guidelines.