The 93-centimetre sculpture depicts Manjushri in a tribhanga posture, adorned with elaborate jewellery and holding the Prajnaparamita Sutra upon a flowering lotus. It survives as a rare monumental example of Newar metalwork from the 9th to 12th centuries, blending classical Indian forms with distinct local ornamentation. This masterwork exemplifies the artistic lineage carried by Nepalese craftsmen into Tibet during the Later Diffusion of Buddhism. Their cross-border workshops ultimately influenced Chinese imperial court sculpture from the Yuan dynasty through the Ming and Qing eras.
Key points
The historic auction valuation establishes a new global price benchmark for Himalayan gil…: The historic auction valuation establishes a new global price benchmark for Himalayan gilt-bronze artwork.
Medieval Newar metalwork was vital in diffusing sophisticated Buddhist sculptural styles…: Medieval Newar metalwork was vital in diffusing sophisticated Buddhist sculptural styles from Nepal into Tibet.
The aesthetic tradition founded by Newar craftsmen sustained an enduring influence across…: The aesthetic tradition founded by Newar craftsmen sustained an enduring influence across centuries of Chinese imperial dynasties.
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From every curve to every carving, such is the intricacy of this 12th-century Manjushri sculpture from Nepal. Standing nearly a metre tall, this gilded copper figure of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, is a remarkable example of the artistic excellence of the Kathmandu Valley. Created by Newar artisans at a time when Nepal was emerging as one of the most important centres of Buddhist art, the sculpture has travelled across continents and collections over the centuries. Now in 2026, it is making headlines once again, selling for approximately ₹166 crore at auction and setting a record for Himalayan gilt-bronze art.
But what makes this sculpture worth such an extraordinary sum is not just its age, size or the gold that covers its surface. It is a rare surviving example of a sculptural tradition that helped shape Buddhist art across the Himalayas and beyond.
The artistry of Newar craftsmanship
The 93cm sculpture depicts Manjushri, a bodhisattva associated with wisdom and enlightenment in Buddhist tradition. He is identified by the Prajnaparamita Sutra, the Buddhist scripture representing transcendent wisdom, placed upon a…
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