A BRONZE FIGURE OF PRAJNAPARAMITA, BAYON STYLE, ANGKOR PERIOD, 12TH-13TH CENTURY

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A BRONZE FIGURE OF PRAJNAPARAMITA, BAYON STYLE, ANGKOR PERIOD, 12TH-13TH CENTURY This lot is from a single owner collection and is therefore offered without reserve The Jorgen Ruben Gallery Ledger, entry from 2005: “No. 176, HH 1994, Khmer Bayon 13th c. bronze Uma, wife of Shiva” Gallery price: EUR 5,800 or approx. EUR 9,400 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing. Thailand. Standing in samabhanga on a flat pedestal, both hands raised and bent at the elbow clutching a manuscript and lotus bud, wearing a tightly fitted sampot resting low on the hips, incised with a patchwork design, and held up with a floral-banded sash secured by a belt, the body adorned in jewelry, her face with a serene expression, almond-shaped eyes, and smiling lips, flanked by elongated earlobes with pendeloque earrings. The hair piled up into a conical chignon behind the flared tiara. Important Note: For essential information on the Jorgen Ruben Gallery Ledger and provenance documentation please visit here: www.zacke.at/rubencollection_ledger Dimensions: Height 24 cm (excl. stand), 31.8 cm (incl. stand) With an associated wood base. (2) This finely sculpted figure is a powerful representation of Prajnaparamita, the Mahayana Buddhist goddess of transcendent wisdom. The iconography is unmistakable, with the figure holding a lotus stem in one hand and a manuscript in the other—both key attributes of Prajnaparamita, who embodies the wisdom of the Prajnaparamita Sutra. The serene expression, inwardly focused gaze, and graceful modeling of the torso align with the aesthetic ideals of Khmer sculpture from the late 12th to early 13th century, a period under the patronage of King Jayavarman VII. The figure’s regal yet composed presence reflects the refined artistry of the time and the spiritual aspirations of the era. During Jayavarman VII’s reign, the cult of Prajnaparamita held a particularly elevated position within the Mahayana Buddhist court culture of Angkor. Historical inscriptions reveal that the king identified the goddess with his own mother, commissioning a distinguished corpus of cult images in her honor. The present sculpture, with its serene spirituality and exquisite craftsmanship, exemplifies the devotional and artistic ideals that flourished under his patronage. Prajnaparamita's image became a central emblem in the sacred and political landscape of the Khmer Empire, symbolizing divine wisdom and royal legitimacy. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related bronze figure of Prajnaparamita, 20.3 cm high, dated late 12th century, formerly in the Denver Art Museum and deaccessioned in March 2023. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 21 September 2007, lot 367 Price: USD 10,625 or approx. EUR 15,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling, manner of casting, and size (24 cm). Note the different subject.

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