Lot 16. The Sonnery Kurkihar Buddha, copper alloy with silver and copper inlay, Kurkihar, Pala period, 11th century. Himalayan Art Resources item no.2449, 39 cm (15 3/8 in.) high. Estimate HK$ 8,000,000 - 12,000,000 (€850,000 - 1,300,000). Sold for HK$ 21,900,000 (€2,380,253). Photo: Bonhams.

HONG KONG.- The standing 11th century Crowned Kurkihar Buddha, a canonical image in Buddhist art, from Collection FKH, USA, reached the highest auction price at HK$21,900,000 (US$2,329,600) after a bidding battle at the Bonhams Images of Devotion Sale in Hong Kong on 3 October. In total, the sale made more than HK$72,235,000 (US$9,102,080). 

The rare jewel-like 15th century Tibetan bronze depicting Akshobhya, the Buddha of the East, with a powerful frame and commanding posture from an American private collection fetched HK$18,060,000 (US$1,920,000). 

Lot 22. A gilt copper alloy figure of Akshobhya, Tibet, 15th century, Himalayan Art Resources item no.2431, 34 cm (13 3/8 in.) high. Estimate HK$ 15,000,000 - 25,000,000 (€1,600,000 - 2,700,000). Sold for HK$ 18,060,000 (€1,962,894). Photo: Bonhams.

Another masterpiece from a private European collection, a bronze Mahakala from the Dali Kingdom originating from the late-12th to early-13th century sold for HK$10,620,000 (US$1,126,400) and was acquired by the Long Museum in Shanghai, China. 

Lot 10. A copper alloy figure of Mahakala, Yunnan, Dali Kingdom, late 12th-early 13th century, Himalayan Art Resources item no.7843, 41.5 cm (16 3/8 in.) high. Estimate HK$ 2,000,000 - 3,000,000. Sold for HK$ 10,620,000 (€1,154,260). Photo: Bonhams.

Commenting on the sale, Bonhams Global Head of Indian, Himalayan Art & Southeast Asian Art, Edward Wilkinson, said, “The sale was a solid indication of the high level of interest from the region with buyers being more selective on key pieces. It reinforces a sense of Hong Kong as the centre for Himalayan art.” 

Other highlights included: 

Lot 1. A copper and silver inlaid copper alloy figure of Avalokiteshvara Padmapani, Northeastern India, Pala Period, 11th-12th Century, Himalayan Art Resources item no.2439, 7.4 cm (2 7/8 in.) high. Estimate HK$ 250,000-350,000 (US$32,000-44,800). Sold for HK$ 1,062,500 (€115,480). Photo: Bonhams.

Lot 20. A gilt copper alloy figure of Amitayus, Tibet, circa 14th century, Himalayan Art Resources item no.2437, 30.5 cm (12 in.) high. Estimate HK$2,400,000-3,000,000 (US$308,000-385,000). Sold for HK$ 1,062,500 (€115,480). Photo: Bonhams.