17th C. Sino-Tibetan Gilt Copper Figure of Palden Lhamo

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Exceptional Finds | Ancient, Asian, Ethno, Fi...

By Artemis Fine Arts

Mar 20, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-03-20 10:00:00 2025-03-20 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Finds | Ancient, Asian, Ethno, Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-finds-ancient-asian-ethno-fine-art-18151
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• Lot Description
  Central Asia, Sino-Tibetan, ca. 17th to 18th century CE. An enticing gilt copper figure of Palden Lhamo or Shri Devi, a tantric Buddhist goddess and principle protectress of Tibet, here posed dynamically with two arms, each displaying a mudra, as she balances on one foot, bending the other leg at the knee, her pendulous breasts swinging as she dances in a frenzy of movement. Surmounted by crackling flames of red hair, her visage presents a glowering expression comprised of 3 eyes and 4 razor-sharp fangs. She is elaborately adorned with a skull crown atop her head, a garland of decapitated heads around her neck and another at her waist. Gilt bangles and anklets embellish her limbs with long gold strands wrapping around her body, decorated by turquoise, coral, and glass inlay. She wears the hide of a tiger as a skirt, while draped over her back is the flayed skin of her own son whom she killed after realizing that he was following in the footsteps of her husband, a murderous king and opponent of Buddhism. Size: 12.2" L x 14" W x 19.4" H (31 cm x 35.6 cm x 49.3 cm)
  
  According to a letter from the previous owner, Raymond Bushell, the contents of the pedestal are incense pellets, seeds, the hard parts of birds, and small animals, and sutras printed on paper and wrapped in yellow and red squares of cloth.
  
  Sometimes referred to as the "Glorious Goddess," Palden Lhamo is the fierce tantric deity of Vajrayana Buddhism and generally regarded as the primary protectress of Tibet, its capital Lhasa, and guardian of the Dalai Lamas. She is the sole female among the "Eight Guardians of the Law" and is typically depicted in a deep blue color with flaming hair that signifies her wrathful state riding side-saddle on a mule as she crosses a sea of blood (note the pink waves).
  
  The tale of Palden Lhamo is a powerful depiction of the struggle to transform darkness into light. According to legend, the bodhisattva Tara took on the form of Palden Lhamo to put an end to human sacrifices carried out by a South Indian king. She first appeared as a stunningly beautiful woman and, upon marrying the ruthless king, became his favored queen, eventually giving birth to two sons. When the time came for the king to honor her by allowing her to choose the individuals for ritual sacrifice, she made a shocking decision. Aware that her sons were being raised to destroy Buddhism, she willingly offered them to the priests. Enraged, the king attempted to stop the sacrifice, but in that moment, the queen revealed her terrifying true form. Before his eyes, she flayed one of her sons and began devouring the other. Overcome with grief and horror, the king finally understood the brutality of human sacrifice and pleaded for her to bring the children back to life. However, knowing that his transformation would take countless lifetimes, she refused. Instead, she draped the flayed skin of one son over her shoulders, placed the other beneath her as a saddlecloth, and rode off into the sky, laughing as she vanished.
  
  Accompanied by reprint of a letter from previous owner Raymond Bushell.
  
  Provenance: private Culver City, California, USA collection, by inheritance, acquired via I. M. Chait Gallery, Los Angeles, California, USA on September 28th, 2021, lot 45; ex-Raymond Bushell collection, New York City, New York and San Francisco, California, USA, bought in Japan ca. 1945-46 thence by descent
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
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  #191914

  Condition

  Figure is removable from base, and crown, necklace, belt, and son's skin are removable from figure. One head on belt has been professionally reattached. Crown is missing central skull, 2 inlays, and lotus blossom on proper right side, while necklace is missing 1 inlay. Some light surface wear as shown, but otherwise, excellent presentation with nice remaining gilding and rich patina.
• Shipping Info

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