Noteworthy large bronze casting depicting the bodhisattva Manjushri in an extremely rare iconography taking the name of Namasangiti, the primordial Master. This representation is considered of great importance for all Nepalese Buddhism, as it is the spiritual progenitor of the five transcendent Buddhas and of the entire world of Buddhism. It is also peculiar to Nepal and there are few known representations of it, emphasising its importance.
The character features a rich dark green patina and is seated in the canonical Padmasana cross-legged position. It is exceptional in that it features twelve arms: six at the front, four on the side and two at the rear. The two main front hands display an open variation of the vyakarana mudra. The underlying hands, positioned to pour ambrosia into the bowl below, are in tarpana mudra. The third front pair, in the samadhi mudra position, hold the container for the sacred amrita nectar. The two side pairs were supposed to hold the four symbols of Manjushri (the Khadga sword, the manuscript, the bow and the arrow) but these have been lost.
The sixth and last pair of arms, in the background, are extended with the hands joined above the figure's head in vajrachakra mudra position, representing Mount Meru.
Worthy of note is the piece's overall refined and well-proportioned workmanship. The circular face displays delicate and serene features, typical of the Newari style of the Kathmandu valley. It also features a conspicuous five-pointed crown and jewels embellishing the bust, ears and arms, containing hollow settings that probably housed precious stones. Given its size and the disc-shaped base which supports the entire figure, the work was probably originally placed on a column inside a temple or outside near sacred buildings, a typical custom in Nepal.

Provenance:
Private collection Milan, Italy.

For close related example please see:
Bonhams, “The Maitri Collection of Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art”, New York 20 Marzo 2018, lotto 3203
Bonhams, “Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art”, New York, 19 Marzo 2019, lotto 934
Himalayan Art Resource, item no. 202977.

This lot is provided with a temporary import license.