Bonhams New York sale to help Nepal quake relief, rebuilding

A 15th century sculpture of Buddhist deity Chakrasamvara and another figure of Buddhist guru Gayadhara besides a range of rare bronzes, thangkas, stone and miniatures figure in an upcoming auction by Bonhams.
Part of the proceeds of the Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art auction scheduled to be held in New York on September 14, with total estimates of USD 2 million - USD 3 million will be donated to charities engaged in relief and rebuilding operations in the earthquake affected Nepal, auctioneers said in a statement.
One of the highlights of the sale, a gilt copper alloy figure of Chakrasamvara considered a masterpiece of Tibetan sculpture, is estimated to fetch between USD 400,000 - USD 600,000. It expresses one of the most important transcendental ideals in Buddhist art - the supreme bliss of enlightenment attained through the perfect union of wisdom and compassion.

The 123 sale lot includes a rare silver and copper alloy figure of Gayadhara, one of the few known identified portraits of the Tibetan Buddhist teacher, is estimated to fetch between USD 100,000 to USD 150,000.
Auctioneers have announced a section within the sale to raise funds for Nepal following the recent devastating earthquakes. "The Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust and Save the Children will receive an equal share of the full hammer proceeds from this section and a donation from Bonhams," auctioneers said.
Another standout lot, say auctioneers, is a 12th century copper alloy gem-like bronze figure of Tara, created during a time of prolific cultural exchange between the Pala monastic universities of Bengal and Bihar and Central Tibet.

The sale also features a group of Tibetan thangkas from the collection of the late Tibetan scholar Lobsang P Lhalungpa.

Among his collection is a thangka that depicts Arhat Pindola Bhadravajra, one of Buddha's four original disciples. A thangka from an Arhat series: Pindola bharadvaja, Eastern Tibet, Palpung style, 18th century has been estimated to fetch between USD 20,000 to USD 30,000.
Mark Rasmussen, specialist Head of Sale in Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art at Bonhams in New York said, "This sale comprises another tight grouping of works, selected for their quality, that particularly appeal to buoyant markets today. At the core is a varied group of Himalayan sculptures attesting to highpoints in the history of the Himalayas and surrounding regions.

"As media attention naturally shifts to newer tragedies, we hope the needs of the people will not fade from public consciousness, and we are keen to support those committed to the relief and rebuilding of Nepal.