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).

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.

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:

• A copper and silver inlaid copper alloy figure of Avalokiteshvara Padmapani, Northeastern India, Pala Period, 11th/12th Century estimated at HK$250,000-350,000 (US$32,000-44,800) which sold for HK$1,062,500 (US$108,800)

• A gilt copper alloy figure of Amitayus, Tibet, circa 14th century estimated at HK$2,400,000-3,000,000 (US$308,000-385,000) which sold for HK$4,860,000 (US$512,000)