Lot 89. A gilt-bronze figure of Mahakala Shadbhuja, Tibeto-Chinese, circa 19th century; 21.3 (8 3/8in) high. Estimate £ 5,000-7,000. Sold for £ 33,750 (€ 38,622). © Bonhams.

The six-armed deity standing on two prostrate elephant-headed figures over a lotus base, surrounded by the orange pristine awareness fire, the main hands holding the wish-fulfilling jewel and a skull cup filled with jewels, dressed in a dhoti and adorned with various jewellery and streaming ribbons, the face surmounted by a five-jewelled tiara, the sealed base incised with a double vajra. 

Provenance: the Jeannette Claude Jongen collection of Buddhist Art.

Note: In contrast to the various other forms of Mahakala, the Shadbhuja Sita ("The White Lord with Six Hands") form is a wealth deity - the skull cup resting in his primary left hand contains jewels, rather than grisly remains. Furthermore, White Mahakala can be distinguished iconographically by his diadem, made of jewels rather than skulls, and the elephant-headed deities on which he stands.

Compare with elaborate Mongolian example of the same period held in a private collection, illustrated in HAR - himalayanart.org/items/32376; and smaller example with a similar treatment of the mandorla in the John and Berte Ford Collection, illustrated by P.Pal, Desire and Devotion, Baltimore, 2001, p.309, no.183.

A related gilt-bronze figure of White Mahakala, Tibeto-Chinese, 18th century, but without a mandorla, sold at Christie's New York, 21 March 2012, lot 802.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, London, 12 November 2015