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Lot 22

A copper alloy thogchak
Tibet, 16th-18th century

17 March 2014, 13:00 EDT
New York

Sold for US$5,625 inc. premium

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A copper alloy thogchak

Tibet, 16th-18th century
The powerfully modeled form of Garuda (khyung) with a snake held in the beak and outstretched wings.
3 3/4 in. (9.6 cm) high

Footnotes

As Heller notes in discussion of a similar piece in the Newark Musuem of Art (91.136a), thogchak (or tockche) are treasured by Tibetans for their talismanic powers. "Worn as amulets, tokche are "found objects", always of metal and usually showing much wear." In their original state they may have been ornaments for chests, belt fastenings, or, possibly in the case of the present lot, part of a torana. For further discussion, see Heller, From the Sacred Realm, New York, 1999, pl. 35, pp. 60 & 79. Compare with another closely related example sold at Sotheby's, New York, 20 March 2013, lot 217.

Provenance:
Private American Collection

Additional information

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