New York, 21 August 2012
On 12 September, Christie’s will host the sale of over 120 rare and precious examples of Indian and Southeast Asian art.
Bringing together works from Gandhara, Nepal, Tibet, and India, the highlights will include two early thangkas from the Collection of Dr. Eugenio Ghersi (an enthroned Buddha and a Green Tara both valued at $400,000-600,000), a gilt bronze Padmapani estimated between $200,000-300,000, and a polychromed gray schist figure of the Teaching Buddha (estimated between $400,000-600,000).
A great surgeon and naval hero, Dr. Ghersi was one of the major explorers of Tibet. Participating in two expeditions to the Himalayas between 1933 and 1935 with Giuseppe Tucci, Ghersi documented numerous major monuments and artworks in danger of becoming damaged and replaced by new commissions.
All of the pieces acquired during these expeditions are in an excellent state of preservation.