Leading auctioneer Sotheby’s will present works from major Far Eastern cultures in India, China and Cambodia focussing on ‘The Arts of the Buddha’ at its New York auction on September 21.

The auction will include physical representations of the divine through different media like paintings, drawings and sculptures, Sotheby’s said in a statement.

The cornerstone of the sale is a magnificent 13th century Tibetan gilt bronze Maitreya that is among the most important Himalayan works of art ever to be auctioned and is estimated at USD 3.5 million.

The art works will be on exhibition beginning September 14 and the sale is estimated to bring in between USD 8.3 million and USD 11.2 million.

Theresa McCullough, senior specialist in charge of the sale said: “The sale celebrates the splendour of Buddhist art and includes three exceptional lots illustrating the transference of ideas and craftsmanship between Tibet and China during the early Ming Dynasty. It is unprecedented to have three such works in one sale.”

Also included in the sale is a private Swiss collection of Himalayan bronzes, a beautiful Yuan Dynasty wooden Avalokitesvara, a Buddhist deity, and two highly rare 15th century Tibetan Sakya Mandalas painted by Newar artists of medieval Nepal.

David Weldon, senior consultant for the sale said: “This exceptional statue of Maitreya is the quintessential example of Nepalese artistic influence in Tibet during the 13th century and is evidence of the absolute mastery of the Newar artists. The image of the ‘Buddha of the future’ is amongst the very finest Buddhist sculptures to have survived from the period… and in such pristine condition.”

Posted: 08|19|07 at 6:51 pm. Filed under: US News.