C.17TH CENTURYSeated on a cushion in vajraparyankasana with his right hand in bhumisparsa mudra and his left hand in the meditative pose, his face with a hooked nose and pendulous earlobes, his hair in tight curls rising to a ushnisha, inscribed to the reverse Tsan-dan-dpal 9, 5.2kg, 24.6cm.Formerly the property of Sir Gerard Leslie Makins Clauson (1891- 1974), English civil servant, businessman, and Orientalist best known for his studies of the Turkic languages. Clauson studied and published on Chinese Buddhist texts written in Tibetan script, co-authoring various editions and translations. In 1912, Clauson had joined the Royal Asiatic Society, of which he was to remain an active and committed member until his death in May 1974. Clauson served as both President and Director, and in the year before his death was presented with a special commemorative gold medal by the Queen for his services to the society.This bronze image is closely related to three other sculptures from Confession Buddha sets of almost identical size. These include a figure of Shuradatta at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.75.4.21, illustrated in Pratapaditya Pal, Art of Nepal, p.117, no.S38; a figure of Suvikranta sold at Sotheby's New York, 16th March 2016, lot 726; and a third Confession Buddha sold at Sotheby's New York, 24th September 1997, lot 94, all with identifying Tibetan inscriptions at the back of their cushions, as seen on the lot offered here. Their robes are also rendered in almost identical fashion, especially the densely striped hem on top of a plain one, as well as the naturalistic fan-shaped pleats gathered in front of their legs. Compare also with another very similar figure depicting Maitreya, although not inscribed, sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 2nd December 2021, lot 1006. The figure recalls the early Nepalese style of the Licchavi period (400-750 CE), with its hooked nose and protruding lips, as well as the low curved platform base. See David Weldon & Jane Casey Singer, The Sculptural Heritage of Tibet, Buddhist Art in the Nyingjei Lam Collection, p. 120, for a further discussion of a similar figure and the influence of the Liccahvi period. Another feature of note is the base plate, engraved with a visvavajra and cold painted with gilt. When discussing a group of 'Tashilima' bronzes formerly in the Getty Collection, Luo Wenhua concluded that the type of base plate engraved with a visvavajra and cold painted with gold is indicative of either Tibetan bronzes made in Tashikitsel (the workshop of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery) or Khalkha Mongolian bronzes (see Luo, 'Tashi Lhunpo Statuary: Karma and Mt Meru', in Bonhams Hong Kong, Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 26th November 2019).十七世紀 銅鎏金功德佛像來源:傑拉德?萊斯利?馬金斯?克勞森爵士(Sir Gerard Leslie Makins Clauson,1891–1974)舊藏。克勞森為英國公務員、商人及東方學家,以其對突厥語族語言的研究而聞名。他曾研究並發表以藏文書寫的中國佛教文獻,並參與多種版本的整理與翻譯工作。1912年,克勞森加入英國皇家亞洲學會,並一直是該學會積極且忠誠的成員,直至1974年5月逝世。。逝世前一年他曾先後擔任學會會長及理事,因其對學會的卓越貢獻,獲女王頒授特別紀念金質獎章。
INFORMATION FOR BUYERS
1. Introduction
Please note that payment will only be accepted from the registered bidder.
The following informative notes are intended to assist Buyers, particularly those inexperienced or new to our salerooms. All sales are conducted on our printed Conditions of Sale which are readily available for inspection and normally accompany catalogues. Our staff will be happy to help you if there is anything you do not fully understand.
2. Agency
As auctioneers we usually contract as agents for the seller whose identity, for reasons of confidentiality, is not normally disclosed. Accordingly if you buy your primary contract is with the seller.
3. Estimates
Estimates are designed to help buyers gauge what sort of sum might be involved for the purchase of a particular lot. The lower estimate may represent the reserve price and certainly will not be below it. Estimates do not include the Buyer's Premium or VAT (where chargeable). Estimates are prepared some time before the sale and may be altered by announcement before the sale. They are in no sense definitive.
4. The purchase price
The Buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 27% plus VAT @20% (totalling 32.4% inclusive) on the first £20,000 and 26% inclusive of VAT @20% thereafter.
5. VAT
Lots marked with a dagger (†) indicates that at the current standard rate is payable by the purchaser on the hammer price as well as being an element in the buyer's premium. This imposition of VAT is likely to be because the seller is registered for VAT within the European Union and is not operating the Dealers Margin Scheme or because VAT is due at 20% on importation into the UK. The omega symbol (Ω) indicates that the lot has been imported from outside the European Union and the present position is that these lots are liable to a reduced rate of VAT (5%) on the gross lot price (i.e. both the hammer price and the buyer's premium). Lots which appear without either of the above symbols indicate that no VAT is payable on the hammer price. This is because such lots are sold using the Auctioneers' Margin Scheme and it should be noted that the VAT included within the Premium is not recoverable as input tax.
6. Cites Regulations
Lots marked with a (λ) symbol may be subject to CITES Regulations when exported. Please click here for further information.
6.1 Artist's Resale Right/Droit De Suite
Lots marked with a (ϕ) symbol are potentially subject to a levy Droit de Suite is a royalty payable to a qualifying artist or the artist's heirs each time a work is resold during the artist's lifetime and up to a period of 70 years after the artist's death. Royalties are calculated on a sliding percentage scale based on the hammer price excluding the buyer's premium. The royalty does not apply to lots selling below £1,000 and the maximum royalty payable on any single lot is £12,500. Droit de Suite, which is not subject to VAT, will be added to the buyer's purchase price and then passed on to the relevant collecting agency. Please enquire for the accepted exchange rate on the day of the sale.
Royalties for Droit de Suite are as follows:
4% Up to £50,000
3% £50,000.01 - 200,000
1% £200,000.01 - 350,000
0.5% £350,000.01 - 500,000
0.25% In excess of £500,000
Up to a maximum levy of £12,500
Firearms
Lots marked with a Ƒ symbol are subject to the UK firearms/shotgun licensing regime, and may only be viewed and/or purchased by individuals with appropriate licences. Such lots are offered on an auctioneers' permit, and must be collected prior to the expiry thereof.
7. We are, primarily, agents for the seller.
We are dependent on information provided by the seller and whilst we may inspect lots and act reasonably in taking a general view about them we are normally unable to carry out a detailed or any examination of lots in order to ascertain their condition in the way in which it would be wise for a buyer to do. Intending buyers have ample opportunity for inspection of goods and, therefore, accept responsibility for inspecting and investigating lots in which they may be interested. Please note carefully the exclusion of liability for the condition of lots contained in the Conditions of Sale. Neither the seller nor we, as the auctioneers, accept any responsibility for their condition. In particular, mechanical objects of any age are not guaranteed to be in working order. However, in so far as we have examined the goods and make a representation about their condition, we shall be liable for any defectwhich that examination ought to have revealed to the auctioneer but which would not have been revealed to the buyer had the buyer examined the goods. Additionally, in specified circumstances lots misdescribed because they are 'deliberate forgeries' may be returned and repayment made. There is a 3 week time limit. (The expression 'deliberate forgery' is defined in our Conditions of Sale).
8. Electrical goods
These are sold as 'antiques' only and if bought for use must be checked over for compliance with safety regulations by a qualified electrician first.
9. Export of goods
Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain (a) whether an export licence is required and (b) whether there is any specific prohibition on importing goods of that character because, e.g. they may contain prohibited materials such as ivory. Ask us if you need help.
10. Bidding
Bidders may be required to register before the sale commences and lots will be invoiced to the name and address on the registration form. Some form of identification will be required if you are unknown to us. Please enquire in advance about our arrangements for telephone bidding.
11. Commission bidding
Commission bids may be left with the auctioneers indicating the maximum amount to be bid excluding buyers' premium. They will be executed as cheaply as possible having regard to the reserve (if any) and competing bids. If two buyers submit identical commission bids the auctioneers may prefer the first bid received. Please enquire in advance about our arrangements for the leaving of commission bids by telephone, fax or email. It may not be possible to execute bids left on the day of the sale itself.
12. Live bidding
Live online bidding is now available for most of our auctions via bid.woolleyandwallis.co.uk. To bid online you need to register at bid.woolleyandwallis.co.uk. In completing the bidder registration on bid.woolleyandwallis.co.uk and providing your credit card details and unless alternative arrangements are agreed with Woolley and Wallis Salisbury Salerooms Ltd, you:
(a) authorise Woolley and Wallis Salisbury Salerooms Ltd, if they so wish, to charge the credit card given in part or full payment, including all fees, for items successfully purchased in the auction via bid.woolleyandwallis.co.uk, and
(b) confirm that you are authorised to provide these credit card details to Woolley and Wallis Salisbury Salerooms Ltd through bid.woolleyandwallis.co.uk and agree that Woolley and Wallis Salisbury Salerooms Ltd are entitled to permit the shipping of the goods to the card holder name and card holder address provided in fulfilment of the sale.
13. Methods of payment
As a general rule any cheques tendered will need to be cleared before removal of the goods is permitted. Please discuss with our Office in advance of the sale if other methods of payment are envisaged (except cash).
Please note that payment will only be accepted from the registered bidder.
14. Collection and storage
Please note what the Conditions of Sale state about collection and storage. It is important that goods are paid for and collected promptly. Any delay may involve the buyer in paying storage charges.