Buddhist Art

Historic Dalai Lama Sale at Bonhams Breaks Records with Krishna Kanwal’s Watercolors and Sir Basil Gould’s Archive

The Dalai Lama on the Throne

Discover the remarkable story behind Sir Basil Gould’s historic collection—featuring exclusive artworks, rare photographs, and personal artifacts from Tibet’s most pivotal moments. From Krishna Kanwal’s evocative watercolors capturing the enthronement of the young Dalai Lama to Gould’s intimate archive of images and memorabilia, this auction offers a rare glimpse into a transformative chapter of Tibetan history. Uncover the full story of this extraordinary sale and the figures who shaped it—an event that achieved nearly a million pounds in just one day.

Extraordinary 14th Dalai Lama Enthronement Art and Archive to Be Sold at Historic Auction

Portrait by Krishna Kanwal of the young Dalai Lama wearing a yellow ceremonial hat and seated behind a white cloth.

A long-lost collection of rare artworks and artifacts from the enthronement of the 14th Dalai Lama is about to make history at Bonhams. Featuring never-before-auctioned watercolours, personal archives, and cinematic footage from Sir Basil Gould’s diplomatic mission to Tibet, this extraordinary sale offers an intimate glimpse into one of the most pivotal moments in Tibetan history. With collectors and historians eagerly anticipating the event, the significance of these treasures cannot be overstated.

14th Century Vajradhara Figurine Sells for €4.16 Million as Speelman Collection of Ancient Himalayan Art Achieves €15.2 Million at Auction

Fourteenth-century gilt copper alloy figure of Vajradhara seated with crossed arms.

In a spectacular display of auction prowess, the Jules Speelman Collection garnered a total of €15.2 million at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of €4.2 million. The auction, consisting of 28 exquisite lots, was 93% sold by lot and 100% by value, underscoring the intense demand for Asian Art and Buddhist Sculpture curated over 60 years by the esteemed dealer and collector, Jules Speelman.

Record-Breaking Sale: Ancient Tibetan Sculpture of Virupaksha Achieves $4.85 Million at Bonhams Hong Kong Auction

Close view of Virupaksha’s ornate headdress and armour, with blue and green decorative details.

In a recent auction event at Bonhams Hong Kong featuring Images of Devotion, an extraordinary Early 15th Century Gilt Copper Alloy Figure of Virupaksha from the renowned Densatil Monastery in Central Tibet commanded a staggering price of HK$37,964,000 (approximately USD $4,855,000). This masterpiece, considered the pinnacle of the order’s sculptural tradition, surpassed its estimated value of HK$35-55 million (USD $4.5-7 million), contributing significantly to the overall auction total of HK$75 million (approximately USD $9,632,000).