Asian art auctions at Koller Zurich to offer a number of top quality Buddhist figures

On 7 and 8 May Koller will offer at auction a number of top quality Buddhist figures from long-standing private collections and numerous works of art from Japan, India, South East Asia and the Islamic regions. The top lot is a large Tibetan figure of Buddha Shakyamuni with an estimated value of CHF 400 000 / 600 000.

The Asian Art auction at Koller in November 2012 attracted numerous international bidders, with a bronze figure of a Tibetan tutelary goddess reaching CHF 3.24 million. Now, on 7/8 May 2013 Koller can again offer several top works of art from Tibet and China. One especially outstanding work is a 45 cm-high bronze figure of the Buddha Shakyamuni from the 13/14th century. This work has been in a Swiss private collection since 1990 and is in very good condition. It will be offered with an estimate of CHF 400 000 / 600 000. The figure shows the Buddha in the diamond position seated on a lotus throne, deep in contemplation shortly before the moment of enlightenment. The age, size and beauty of this piece render it especially rare and valuable (lot 105).

Amongst the key highlights at this auction is a gilt copper figure of a four-armed goddess. It presumably represents Tara or Prajnaparamita in a loose Lalitasana pose, decorated with numerous brightly coloured stones and made in the 14/15th century. The attachment, which is visible on the back of the head and which had been removed from the plinth, indicates that the figure was once part of a Tashi Gomang from the Densatil monastery. The monastery, which was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, was considered one of the most splendid in Tibet. The goddess, which was consigned from a German private collection, will be offered with an estimate of CHF 180 000 / 250 000 (lot 112).

Alongside further Buddhist figures such as a Bodhisattva Manjushri (lot 125), in the May auction there will be a very rare “money tree” from China. This comes from the Eastern Han Dynasty and is made in bronze and ceramic. The tree is sonamed because of the treasure of coins depicted in the branches: these were not necessarily for the benefit of the deceased in the afterlife, but were intended as a sacrifice to the gods. The tree comes from a German private collection and will be offered with an estimate of CHF 80 000 / 120 000 (lot 172).