Lot 97
Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. An exceptional pair of brass Tibetan Snow Lion repousse plaques each adorned with a gilt body and a verdigris mane, tail, and curls. Depicted dramatically striding forward, the felines display beady eyes and huge grins of jagged teeth as they grasp long strands of prayer beads in their front paws. Crowned by a thick mane, the mythological zoomorphs display an anthropomorphic chest with bulging pectorals, an elaborate tail, and flame-like tufts of hair adorning their limbs. The Snow Lion is a tulku or personification of the primordial playfulness of ananda "joy, bliss" comparable to the western unicorn. Size (both the same): 14.5" L x 10.6" W (36.8 cm x 26.9 cm)
An emblem of Tibet, the Snow Lion is a celestial animal that represents the snowy mountain ranges and glaciers of the country. They are also typically considered a symbol of power, strength, fearlessness, and joy. These ornate beasts would have been part of a monumental torana: an elaborate throne-back that would have surrounded a buddha or bodhisattva figure. Starting in the 17th century, torana were composed of six elements, stood one on top of the other, and mirrored on either side to form an ovoid frame for the central figure. The six elements on this type of throne-back from the bottom to top consist of pairs of elephants, snow lions, horses (often with a rider), makaras (water creatures), nagas (creatures with a human torso and the lower body of a snake), and, at the apex, a single garuda bird. In this case, all of the components including the central figure would have been similarly cast and gilded.
Similar pairs of repousse snow lion plaques hammered $10,000 at Christie's New York as lot 29 on September 19th, 2019 (Online Auction 18519, Gods and Guardians: South Asian Works of Art) and $10,625 at Sotheby's New York as lot 319 on September 19th, 2008 (Sale Number NO8499, Indian & Southeast Asian Works of Art).
Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#174323
- Condition: Light surface wear commensurate with age. Otherwise, both are intact and excellent with impressive remains of gold wash and beautiful patina.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |