STATUETTE DE VAISHRAVANA EN ALLIAGE DE CUIVRE... Lot n° 43

STATUETTE DE VAISHRAVANA EN ALLIAGE DE CUIVRE DORÉ DYNASTIE QING, XVIIIE SIÈCLE Himalayan Art Resources item no. 4603 13 cm (5 in.) high Footnotes: A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF VAISHRAVANA QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY 清 十八世紀 銅鎏金多聞天王像 Provenance: With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970s Vaishravana is a wealth deity with a magical mongoose capable of disgorging gems cradled in his left hand. Vaishravana is also one of Four Heavenly Kings, the Guardian of the North, and is therefore depicted as a robust warrior, clad in glistening chain mail, mounted on a snow lion. His semi-wrathful, semi-peaceful face expresses his dual character. A distinctive feature of Vaishravana sculptures produced under the Qing dynasty is the fish-shaped element of his armor, descending between the legs. The motif is a rebus, with 'fish' being a homonym of 'abundance' in Chinese (yu), playing on Vaishravana's role as a bestower of prosperity. Related sculptures with this detail are in the State Hermitage, Leningrad, Yonghegong temple, Beijing, and the Jacques Marchais of Tibetan Art, Staten Island (see Rhie & Thurman, Wisdom and Compassion, 1991, p. 305, no. 118; Buddhist Statues in Yonghegong, 2002, pl. 113; and Lipton & Ragnubs, Treasures of Tibetan Arts, 1996, p. 179, no. 95, respectively). Further stylistically related sculpture of Vaishravana were sold at Christie's, Paris, 20 June 2017, lot 35; and 12 June 2019, lot 194. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com Very good condition overall, with repairs to casting flaws at the time of production to the back of the scarf. Minor nick to the back of the proper left leg and the front of the base. There is smoky black residue in recessed areas from exposure to temple lamps within the culture. Remains of cold gold in the face, blue pigment in the hair, red pigment in the lips, and green pigment in the lion's tail and hair. The piece survives with its original consecration base plate. Please contact Sidney Lee (sidney.lee@bonhams.com) for related condition report images.