15th century Buddha mask spotted in French auction house

BY A STAFF REPORTER, Kathmandu, Dec. 13: A 15th century polychrome wooden Dipankara Buddha head has been located in the Triay collection of the Himalayan Art after it was offered to put for sale at the Bonham’s Auction, Paris, France on December 15.  The wooden hand of Dipankara was stolen on August 13, 1998 from a Buddhist monastery of Saptapur Mahavihar (Chikanbahi) Chyasal in Patan. 

The art work was spotted by Lost Arts of Nepal which tracked the on-going auction at Bonham’s Auction, Paris, in France. 

Originally the image was painted in red but now the paint has been removed. The Dipankara Buddha image is one of the major deities displayed during the Samyak Mahadaan festival held once every five years at Nagbahal, Patan.The replica has been made to carry on with the festivals. 

The original crown and hands are still preserved in the Vihara treasure. The image was first sold by Art of the Past Gallery, US. The Stair Galleries website still features the original red painted image which was sold on November 28, 2013.  A stolen Bhairava mask of the 16th century has also been  put up for auction of December 20 at Aguttes, Neuilly sur Seine of France.