The Three Buddhist Treasures presented here emanate from a collection of extraordinary scope and quality, formed by a connoisseur with an eye for the truly unique and beautiful. Each of these treasures was created not only as a work of art, but as a sacred instrument of meditation, ritual practice, and the pursuit of enlightenment, encapsulating the profound transmission of the iconography, esoteric beauty and ritual power of Himalayan Buddhist art from the Kathmandu Valley to the court of the Yongle Emperor. 

The sensuous movement and exceptional sculptural quality of the Tara embody the height of quality achieved in thirteenth century Nepal, from where Aniko emerged as the greatest of all Nepal’s artists, and travelled to the court of Kublai Khan in Beijing and became Controller of the Imperial Workshops. The magnificence and intricacy of the gold and silver-inlaid iron ritual sceptre, the khatvanga, encapsulates the complexity of the esoteric iconography introduced to the early Ming emperors. To hold the khatvanga is to signify that the adept has cut through ignorance and gained mastery of the yogic subtle nervous system, transmuting compassion to a state of bliss and awareness of clear reality.

The exquisite gilt figure of Raktayamari and Vajravetali represents the fulfilment of this transmission, and the apex of quality achieved at the Yongle court. Created as a miniature sculpture for private meditation, the ecstatic union of male and female energies articulates the triumph of wisdom over ignorance. These Three Treasures are of truly unparalleled quality, ranking alongside the greatest extant examples preserved in any museum or temple collection. Their presence here is a unique opportunity for collectors and practitioners to be the next custodian of a sacred and profound tradition.

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact:

bids.hongkong@sothebys.com

+852 2524 8121

For all sale enquiries please contact:

Nicolas Chow | Nicolas.Chow@sothebys.com | +852 2822 8128

Chairman, Asia, Chairman and Worldwide Head of Asian Art

Sam Shum | Sam.Shum@sothebys.com | +852 2822 9003

Senior Director, Senior Specialist, Chinese Works of Art

Julian King | Julian.King@sothebys.com | +44 20 7293 5111

Senior Director, International Specialist and Head of Department, Indian & Himalayan Art and Chinese Works of Art, London

Xibo Wang | Xibo.Wang@sothebys.com | +852 2822 5582

Director, Head of Department, Chinese Works of Art

Cristine Li | Cristine.Li@sothebys.com | +852 2822 8122

Director, Specialist, Chinese Works of Art

Rubie Fong | Rubie.Fong@sothebys.com | +852 2822 9037

Specialist, Chinese Works of Art

Keason Tang | Keason.Tang@sothebys.com | +852 2822 9027

Deputy Director, Head of Mid-Season Sales, Chinese Works of Art

Xiaoye Yang | Xiaoye.Yang@sothebys.com | +852 2822 8135

Cataloguer, Chinese Works of Art

Tokyo

Koji Asada | Koji.Asada@sothebys.com | +81 3 4590 0640

Deputy Director, Specialist, Asian Art

Beijing

Sonya Wu | Sonya.Wu@sothebys.com | +86 10 5082 5873

Deputy Director, Specialist, Chinese Works of Art

Taipei

Ching Yi Huang | Chingyi.Huang@sothebys.com | +886 2 2757 6689

Deputy Director, Specialist, Chinese Works of Art