SACRED FIGURE

Estimate £2,000–£3,000

Ancient Tibetan bronze gures are gathering currency at auction as they become more sought after by Asian, often Chinese, buyers looking for an alternative to antique oriental porcelain and ceramics. At 17cm tall, this serene, meditating Buddha from the 12th or 13th century is seated on a double lotus throne. His eyes are inlaid with silver and his ushnisha topknot is decorated with a red jewel. The rare gure was part of the collection of the late Dr JS Gordon, who purchased the Buddha from London specialist auction house Spink & Son in 1999. It was part of his fabulous hoard of tribal art that included Tibetan tiger rugs and spoons, and items from the Yoruba, Egyptian and Inuit cultures that went up for sale at Woolley & Wallis on 21st February this year. Hammer £42,000 * 01722 424500; woolleyandwallis.co.uk