A BRONZE FIGURE OF VAJRASATTVA, BAYON STYLE, ANGKOR PERIOD Khmer Empire, 12^th century. Finely cast seated holding the vajra and ghanta, wearing a sampot and floret armlets and necklace, his face with a serene expression surmounted by a conical headdress.

Provenance: A distinguished private collection in Milan, Italy. Leonardo Vigorelli, Bergamo, acquired from the above. Leonardo Vigorelli is a retired Italian art dealer and noted collector, specializing in African and ancient Hindu-Buddhist art. After studying anthropology and decades of travel as well as extensive field research in India, the Himalayan region, Southeast Asia, and Africa, he founded the Dalton Somaré art gallery in Milan, Italy, which today is being run by his two sons.
Condition: Excellent condition commensurate with age. Expected casting flaws, signs of weathering and erosion, few nicks, shallow surface scratches, minor losses and cracks, ancient wear. Fine, naturally grown patina with areas of cuprite and malachite encrustations.

Weight: 1,000 g (excl. base) and 1,910 g (incl. base)
Dimensions: Height 18.3 cm (excl. base) and 23 cm (incl. base)

With a modern metal base. (2)

Literature comparison:
Compare a related Khmer bronze figure of a crowned Buddha, attributed to Lopburi and dated 12^th-13^th century, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 2019.451.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie's New York, 19 September 2002, lot 194
Price: USD 15,535 or approx. EUR 25,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze figure of Vajrasattva, Khmer, Baphuon style, 11^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and pose. Note that the figure is slightly earlier, cast in the Baphuon style, and of slightly smaller size (15.2 cm).