The Eilenberg Buddha
Copper alloy
19 in. (48.3 cm) high
Estimate:
US$ 250,000 – 350,000 / £160,000 – 220,000 / €200,000 – 280,000
Asian art from Estate of Natasha Eilenberg at Bonhams Bonhams will include Indian and Southeast Asian art from the Estate of Natasha Eilenberg in the September 11 auction of Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art during 2012 New York Asia Week.]]>
August 15, 2012, source: Bonhams
A highlight to this 20 piece the collection is a staggering 7th/8th century bronze figure of Buddha from the Mon Dvaravati culture in Thailand (pre-sale est. $250,000-350,000). Cast in frontal position, with both arms bent at the elbows, on a parallel level and his hands displaying the vitarka mudra (signifying the act of teaching the dharma or explication). Typical of the period, the Buddha has a broad face, full lips and elongated eyes conveying a sublime expression.
This is the most important Mon Dvaravati sculpture to appear in the market in over twenty-five years. With exceptional provenance dating prior to 1969 together with broad affection and respect for Natasha Eilenberg the Buddha will be of interest an international group of museums and collectors.
As expressed by Jean Boisselier in The Heritage of Thai Sculpture, 1975, “The school of Dvaravati may stand alongside the great Buddhist artistic traditions of India, so enduring were its innovations and so persuasive its influence on most of the art of Southeast Asia.” A closely related example is in the National Museum, Bangkok.
About Natasha Eilenberg (1919-2012)
Natasha was an outstanding independent scholar of the art and culture of India and Southeast Asia. She produced a number of important publications based on her own research, as well as, translations from the French of Jean Boisselier, one of the twentieth century’s most influential historians of Khmer art.
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Asian Art to shine at Sotheby’s, October 2011
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