Yvett Klein
Senior Specialist
Lot 1
A gilt copper alloy head of Bodhisattva, possibly Avalokiteshvara Nepal, early 14th century
Ending from 25 June 2025, 12:00 AEST
Online, SydneyAU$8,000 - AU$12,000
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A gilt copper alloy head of Bodhisattva, possibly Avalokiteshvara
Nepal, early 14th century
custom made perspex stand, 25.0cm high
custom made perspex stand, 25.0cm high
Footnotes
Provenance:
Soo Tze Oriental Antiques, Melbourne, 5 December 2001 (valuation)
銅鎏金菩薩頭像，（或）觀世音
尼泊爾，十四世紀早期
傳承:
墨爾本，Soo Tze Oriental Antiques，2001年12月5日（評估單）
This striking fragment represents the head of a bodhisattva, likely Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Dating to the early 14th century, the work exemplifies the refined elegance and spiritual intensity of Nepalese artistry during the transitional Malla period, when local Newar craftsmanship was increasingly influenced by both Indian Pala models and emerging Tibetan devotional demands.
The bodhisattva's serene expression is masterfully captured through the gently downcast eyes and soft modeling of the cheeks and lips, conveying the meditative calm central to Mahayana Buddhist ideals. The elaborate crown, inset with semi-precious stones, includes a central foliate medallion, possibly a stylised Garuda or Kirtimukha motif, indicating royal or divine status. The presence of a prominent turquoise urna, the auspicious mark of enlightenment, further aligns the figure with Avalokiteshvara's iconography.
The fragment's reverse and lower section reveal remnants of an earlier attachment, suggesting that this head once formed part of a larger full-bodied sculpture, possibly installed in a temple niche or larger shrine ensemble. The soft gilding, worn in places, enhances the devotional aura, reflecting centuries of ritual use, veneration, and even tribulation. With the size of this head, the original statue would have stood well over one metre.
Works of this quality, scale, and period are increasingly rare. Comparable full-figure examples are found in public collections such as the Rubin Museum of Art (acc. no. C2005.16.8) and the Art Gallery of New South Wales (acc. no. 117.2010), and on the international market, see Christie's, New York, 30 November 2020, lot 3011, and Bonhams, New York, 16 March 2021, lot 309. Notably, most surviving examples today rarely exceed one metre in height.
此件菩薩頭像的殘件，可能原本是觀音菩薩。它體現了尼泊爾藝術於瑪拉王朝過渡時期所展現出的精緻典雅與靈性張力。其時，當地的紐瓦爾工藝日益受到印度帕拉藝術風格與新興西藏宗教需求的共同影響。
菩薩神態安詳，透過輕垂的眼簾與柔和的面部線條成功傳達出大乘佛教核心理念中的禪定安寧。其頭戴精緻華冠，鑲嵌寶石，中央的金翅鳥或吞面怪，暗示其神聖或皇權的身份。額間松石色白毫為智慧覺悟之祥瑞標誌，呼應觀音的典型造像。
殘件的背部與下方可見移除痕跡，故此頭像原應屬於一尊完整的立像，或曾安置於廟宇龕位或更大型的供奉場景中。其表面鍍金雖的磨損，更強化了整體的宗教氛圍，讓人想象雕像本身歷經的供奉、禮拜、乃至劫難。根據頭部比例推測，原雕像高度應遠超一米。
如此品質、規模與年代的作品，現今已日漸罕見。可資比較的完整立像藏於公共機構，如美國魯賓藝術博物館（館藏編號 C2005.16.8）及澳洲新南威爾斯美術館（館藏編號 117.2010）。另見國際拍賣市場，如佳士得紐約2020年11月30日拍賣，編號3011，與邦瀚斯紐約2021年3月16日拍賣，編號309。值得注意的是，現存大部分例子高度罕有超過一米者。