A LARGE GILT-LACQUERED ZITAN FIGURE OF VAJRADHARAMING DYNASTY, YONGLE – XUANDE PERIOD |

superbly carved and depicted seated in vajraparyankasana on a double-lotus base, with hands crossed in prajnalinganabhinayamudra before the chest, the head rendered gently tilted to the left with a serene expression and soft smile, framed by a pair of pendulous earlobes adorned with ornamental wheel-shaped earrings and an elaborate five-pronged crown centred with a beast mask and enclosing a high chignon, further decorated with extravagant beaded jewellery, including armbands, bracelets and necklaces, clad in a dhoti cascading in layered folds on the base, each sole picked out with a dharma wheel and resting atop the garment decorated with floral motifs, all above a central floral scroll above the lappets on the base, all the details finely rendered in gilding against the dark brown ground

The figure is preserved in good condition, with just typical age cracks, bruising and rubbing to small areas of the gilt-lacquer decoration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This large and superbly carved sculpture depicts the Dhyani Buddha Vajradhara seated in vajraparyankasana; his hands crossed in front of his chest in vajrahumkaramudra. He would originally have been holding a ghanta in the left hand and a vajra in the right, signifying the union of wisdom and compassion. His five-pronged crown represents the five qualities of Buddhahood. Vajradhara is revered as the primordial or Adi Buddha. His mantra – aum ah Guru Vajradhara hum! – pays obeisance to the one who embodies the highest level of Enlightenment. Similar iconography can be seen on a 15th/16th century gilt-bronze figure of Vajradhara at Ngor Monastery, Tibet, illustrated in Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet, Hong Kong, 2001, vol. II, pl. 330.

For another 15th century Tibetan zitan figure with similar gilt-lacquer floral decoration on the robes, see the figure of the monk in the John and Berthe Ford collection, illustrated in Pratapaditya Pal, Desire and Devotion: Art from India, Nepal and Tibet in The John and Berthe Ford Collection, Baltimore, 2001, p. 298, pl. 174.