A MONUMENTAL BRONZE HEAD OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, AVA PERIOD, 17TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A MONUMENTAL BRONZE HEAD OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI, AVA PERIOD, 17TH CENTURY This lot is from a single owner collection and is therefore offered without reserve The Jorgen Ruben Gallery Ledger, entry from 2005: “No. 206, FH 1992, Burma Shan 17th c. bronze head of Buddha” Gallery price: EUR 6,600 or approx. EUR 11,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing. Expert’s note: In this period, the Shan and Myanmar styles integrate into this Ava style, where the face is rounder with a pointed chin and a distinctive mouth with a clear cleft above the upper lip. The nose is straight with flaring nostrils, the eyebrows curved, the eyes gaze downwards. The present head is rare and impressive for its fine modeling and large size. The important sculpture it originally belonged to was over 1 m tall if seated, based on the proportions of a related Ava period bronze figure of Buddha Shakyamuni, 63 cm high, dated 18th century, at Christie’s Paris, 15 December 2010, lot 385. Burma. Heavily cast, the serene face with heavy-lidded eyes, below gently arched eyebrows, a broad nose, full lips forming a calm smile, flanked by elongated earlobes. The hair arranged in tight curls above a hairline band, surmounted by an ushnisha and a massive ketumala. Important Note: For essential information on the Jorgen Ruben Gallery Ledger and provenance documentation please visit here: www.zacke.at/rubencollection_ledger Dimensions: Height 46.2 cm (excl. stand), 56.5 cm (incl. stand) With an associated modern stand. (2) In 1555, King Bayinnaung dislodged Shan King Sithu Kyawhtin from Ava. By 1557 he went on to conquer all of what would become known as the Burmese Shan States under his rule, from the Assamese border in the northwest to those in Kachin and Shan Hills, including the two most powerful Shan States, Mohnyin and Mogaung. The Shan States were reduced to the status of governorships, but the Saophas (rulers) were permitted to retain their royal regalia and their feudal rights over their own subjects. Bayinnaung introduced Burmese customary law and prohibited all human and animal sacrifices. He also required the sons of Saophas to reside in the Burmese king's palace, essentially hostages, in order to ensure the good conduct of their fathers and to receive training in Burmese court life. Burmese kings continued this policy until 1885, when the Kingdom fell to the British. In the mid-18th century, the Burmese Konbaung dynasty's reassertion of the easternmost boundaries of Burmese Shan States led to war with China, following which eight of the Chinese Shan States were briefly occupied by the Kingdom of Burma. The Burmese success in repelling Chinese forces laid the foundation for the present-day boundary between Burma and China. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s Amsterdam, 31 October 2006, lot 541 Price: EUR 5,040 or approx. EUR 8,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and subject. Note the size (38 cm) and different material. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s Amsterdam, 10 December 2002, lot 141 Price: EUR 7,170 or approx. EUR 12,500 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and subject. Note the different material and the size (56 cm).

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