Art is a spiritual endeavour, especially if what you are collecting are worship items from a fascinating culture. On 14 June, Rossini will present a rare collection of Thangkas, Tibetan religious sculptures and paintings.
Rossini auction house is located in the very heart of Paris fine arts trade auction dealer district, just opposite the famous Hotel Drouot. It organizes more than sixty sales every year, with emphasis given to specialized sales. The startling “Civilizations” auction is no exception, as it focuses on works of art coming from India, Japan and China.
The star of the sale is a large polychrome Thangka dating back to the 15th or 16th century. It depicts two great masters of the Sakya school, surrounded by their disciples and tutelary Gods. Experts will recognize Boudda Shakyamuni, Manjusri, Kalachakra, Amoghasiddhi… And the others will be swept away by the finesse of its gold-tinted details. Its conservation is simply exceptional for a 500 years-old painting on fabric! It carries an estimate of £9,000-13,000. Several notable Thangkas will also be coming by the hammer.
Another exceptional devotional object is a bronze sculpture of Amitabha meditating on a double lotus and holding an offering bowl in his hands. It is a 16th-17th century masterpiece from Tibet, with slightly worn gilding. With an estimate of £1,750-2,600 it’s well worth a look (or a prayer).
Japan will be represented by a beautiful selection of netsuke, tsuba and okimono, China by ceramics and stoneware.
The lots 1 to 122, including the collection of thangkas, come from a couple who was in love with Buddhist art. The pieces were all purchased in the 1970s.
Who thought auctions could be a meditation spot… Barnebys did!