HONG KONG.- Christie's presents a dedicated standalone auction, 'Awakening Wisdom: Masterpieces of Buddhist Art from a Private Asian Collection', to be held live on 30 October 2026 during Hong Kong Asian Art Week. This single-owner auction complements Christie's annual Hong Kong sale of Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art, and underscores the continued strength of international demand for exceptional works in the category. The sale showcases a distinguished private collection assembled with a discerning eye and a profound appreciation for the wisdom, symbolism and artistic traditions of Buddhism. Bringing together a carefully curated selection of thangkas and sculptures of exceptional quality, the collection is distinguished by its rarity, provenance, and artistic excellence.
Leading the sale is a monumental 12th-century gilt copper alloy figure of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, standing an impressive 93 cm high. Majestic in scale and sublime in execution, the sculpture ranks among the most important surviving sculptures of Himalayan art to appear at auction in recent years. Identified by the Prajnaparamita Sutra resting on a lotus at his shoulder, the figure embodies wisdom and enlightenment, central ideals of Buddhist thought. A masterpiece of the Newar sculptural tradition, the work marks a pivotal moment in the development of Buddhist art across Asia. Broad planes of gilded copper are animated by the precise articulation of necklaces, armlets, bracelets, sacred thread, and sumptuous ornaments, creating a masterful tension between simplicity and richness. The elegant silhouette and harmonious proportions achieve an extraordinary equilibrium between corporeal beauty and spiritual authority. Belonging to an exceptionally rare corpus of early gilt-copper bodhisattvas, works of comparable quality are preserved in the collections of the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Norton Simon Museum of Art in Pasadena, though few rival the present work in scale, artistic ambition, and state of preservation.
Edward Wilkinson, Global Head of Classical Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art at Christie's commented: “This sale represents a unique, once in a generation opportunity to acquire true masterpieces and icons of Buddhist art. Together with Christie's annual Hong Kong sale of Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art, the two sales present an exceptional group of works spanning nearly a millennium of artistic achievement. Including some of the most significant examples to have appeared on the market in recent years, the offering highlights the depth and quality of the category and reflects its growing appeal among collectors worldwide.”
In 2026, Christie's, the world-leading art and luxury business, is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in Asia. Over the last four decades, Christie's has established itself as Asia's leading house, orchestrating many of the region's most historic and record-breaking sales of exceptional objects and collections, driving region-wide expansion, and pioneering digital innovations that have redefined the way Asian collectors connect with and experience the industry. To celebrate this milestone, Christie's is presenting a year-long programme of art and luxury sales, exhibitions and events across the region.
