PORTFOLIO 2024
Ben Thulborn Portfolio
Hello, I’m Ben, a Graphic Designer from London
Summery
My name is Ben and I am a graphic designer currently living and designing in London. I am interested in design for both digital and print but have a real passion for typography. My design experience is predominantly print-based. However, I also have experience in other areas such as digital design and branding. As much as I love creating unique designs - through my experience as an in-house designer, I have also gained experience designing strictly for a brand.
- Present
As Graphic Designer at Bonhams’ Desktop Publishing department, I am mainly responsible for working on multiple on-brand projects such as catalogues, print advertisements and various other printed material, as well as digital elements such as e-signatures and digital banners.
2021 - 2022
As Media & Communications Assistant at Cambridge United Community Trust, I was responsible for the design and maintenance of the CUCT brand. In addition I was also responsible the design of social media graphics, as well as the day-to-day running of their social platforms.
Disruptor Media Graphic Designer
2019 - 2020
At Disruptor Media, I was mainly responsible for creating digital content for various client social media platforms. This was my first experience designing to brand guidelines. This role was also where I got to develop my motion graphic and video editing skills, something I previously had little experience in.
• Typography
• Wireframing
• Illustration
• Time Management
• Team Workingand print
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Figma
• Sketch
https://issuu.com/benthulborn98/docs/ben_thulborn_portfolio
My time in Leeds was important for my development as a designer. It allowed me to expand my knowledge of graphic design - from an academic point of view. My research on vernacualr typography caused me to think differently about how I perceive type and how I use it in my own work.
2016 - 2019
Anglia Ruskin was where I first started to understand the wider field of graphic design. Focusing on various areas such as publication, branding and digital design. This course also allowed me to become familiar with a wider range of design software such as Adobe InDesign and Adobe XD.
Long Road Sixth Form College Graphic Design & Media Studies
2014 - 2016
Long Road was where I started to develop the basic digital skills needed as a graphic designer, learning skills with software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. This was my first experience being able to work on live briefs.
• Media Training LTDAdobe Illustrator Course
• Football
• Cinema & Film
• Sports
• Fitness
Bonhams Graphic Designer 2022 Leeds Beckett University BA Graphic Design Cambridge United Media & Communication Assistant Anglia Ruskin University MA Graphic DesignerPortfolio
ben_thulborn@hotmail.com +44
Experience Skills
Tools Courses Interests Education Contact
7713 496229
4 | Portfolio
The Miami Auction Bonhams
The Miami Auction was a brand new Sale for Bonhams | Cars, taking place at the Miami International Autodrome in May 2024. Despite the auction being set at a Formula 1 race track, the brief was clear that the artwork should be more focused on the City of Miami, focusing particularly on a sunny, summery, Miami Vice theme. Therefore I decided to focus on the simplicity of the sun hitting the faces of the iconic Miami buildings. The deliverables for this project included a front and back cover for the sale catalogue with matching signage and other marketing collateral.
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6 | Portfolio Miami International Autodrome | 4 May 2024
The Miami Auction Cover Design
2024 | 7 Bonhams Miami International Autodrome FL 33056 +33 (0) 1 42 61 10 11 bonhams.com AUCTIONEERS SINCE 1793 Bonhams
De Luca
Visual Identity
12 | Portfolio
De Luca Cucina & Bar is an Italian restaurant based in Cambridge city centre. For this re-brand, I wanted to be as creative as possible without completely abandoning the pre-existing brand. Therefore I decided to keep dark red as the primary colour. I’ve always enjoyed creating type as it helps the brand have its own bespoke visual identity. For De Luca, I wanted letterforms that were strong and striking, with a hint of creativity and flair. I think I have achieved this in the nice curves in the serifs and particularly in the arms of the letters ‘L’ and ‘E’. In addition to a strong logo, I felt that the brand needed a vibrant graphic approach. After some research into some Italian design trends, I settled on a wavy reaccruing pattern that can be used across a variety of marketing material.
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14 | Portfolio
De Luca
Visual Identity
2024 | 15 De Luca
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De Luca
Visual Identity
2024 | 17 De Luca
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Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection Bonhams
Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection was a sale of the personal items of actor Michael Caine. The deliverables for this project included a sale logo, a sale catalogue and marketing collateral. For the logo, I went for something that represents old film posters of the 60s, I think the use of Franklin Gothic Condensed achieved this perfectly. For the sale identity, I went for mainly black with silver detailing using silver foil referring to the silver screen.
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2024 | 21 Bonhams 41 FOUR FILM POSTERS FOR ADVENTURE & ROMANTIC FILMS STARRING SIR MICHAEL CAINE, 1960’s-1970’s, Comprising Hurry Sundown, Paramount, 1967, Belgian poster, signed in black ink by Sir Michael Caine; The Last Valley Cinerama, 1971, Belgian poster, signed in black ink by Nigel Davenport; Kidnapped British Lion, 1971, US insert poster, signed in silver ink by Sir Michael Caine, 35.5cm x 91.5cm (14in x 36in); and The Romantic Englishwoman, Fox-Rank, 1975, Belgian poster, signed ‘To Sebastian’ in blue ink by Glenda Jackson and in black ink by Michael Lonsdale, Each Belgian poster 35.5cm x 56cm (14in x 22in) (4) £200 - 300 €240 - 360 US$270 - 410 42 ZULU A colour reproduction poster of the Italian Style B poster, artwork by Mauro Colizzi, signed in black ink by Sir Michael Caine, 70cm x 99cm (27 1/2in x 39in) £100 - 150 €120 - 180 US$140 - 200 39 HURRY SUNDOWN Paramount, 1967, US one sheet cinema poster, artwork by David Weisman, signed in black ink by Sir Michael Caine, 69cm x 104cm (27in x 41in) £300 - 500 €360 - 600 US$410 - 680 Hurry Sundown depicts an ultimately tragic dispute over land ownership in the American south. Sir Michael Caine has since costarred in two more films with Jane Fonda, in California Suite (1978) and Youth (2015). Prior to this film, poster artist David Weisman primarily designed Italian film posters including Federico Fellini’s 8 1/2 (1963). 40 BATTLE OF BRITAIN United Artists, 1969, US one sheet cinema poster, signed in black ink by Sir Michael Caine, 69cm x 104cm (27in x 41in) £300 - 500 €360 - 600 US$410 - 680 Sir Michael Caine starred in Battle of Britain as part of a stellar cast of British talent, including Laurence Olivier, Trevor Howard, Christopher Plummer, and Ian McShane. The film is well remembered for its audacious flying sequences using around 100 real aircraft over the course of production. 40 39 28 BONHAMS For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. Lot 41 115 SHAKIRA CAINE: GEM-SET COLLAR Composed of articulating cup-shaped links issuing spherical terminals, inset with circularcut colourless pastes Signed Shakira Adjustable length 36.5cm - 39.2cm £500 - 700 €600 - 840 US$680 - 950 116 SHAKIRA CAINE: GLASS BEAD COLLAR The spherical beads of apple green glass accented by conical bead spacers, suspending a fringe of fan-shaped pendants with granulation detail Unsigned Necklace length 45.0cm, glass beads approx. 15.0mm diameter, fan-shaped pendants 6.2cm x 8.0cm £500 - 700 €600 - 840 US$680 - 950 117 SHAKIRA CAINE: GEM-SET COLLAR Composed of articulating cup-shaped links issuing spherical terminals, inset with circularcut colourless pastes Signed Shakira Adjustable length 36.5cm - 41.0cm £500 - 700 €600 - 840 US$680 - 950 115 116 117 72 BONHAMS For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. 118 SHAKIRA CAINE: TEXTURED FRINGE NECKLACE Each spherical bead with granulation and ropetwist detail, suspending a fringe of navette-shaped finials, with applied granulation in a variety of pear-shaped patterns Unsigned Adjustable length 38.0cm - 40.5cm £500 - 700 €600 - 840 US$680 - 950 119 SHAKIRA CAINE: GEM-SET NECKLACE The articulated collar of circular and pearshaped colourless paste, with pear-shaped red paste accents, mounted throughout in foiled and closed back settings, issuing a fringe of red glass beads Signed Shakira, some glass beads missing and one loose Adjustable length 33.5cm - 40.0cm, Shakira Caine box £500 - 700 €600 - 840 US$680 - 950 120 SHAKIRA CAINE: TWO FRINGE NECKLACES 1st: The two rows of figure-of-eight linking issuing a fringe of hollow ‘plumes’ surmounted by engraved floral motifs, via textured lozenge-shaped plaques, on a spigalink backchain, 2nd: Of similar design, issuing a fringe of fluted rosettes with bead terminals, sold together with a photograph reproduction of Shakira Caine modelling some of her jewellery range, Both unsigned Lengths: 1st 36.5cm, 2nd 41.0cm (3) £500 - 700 €600 - 840 US$680 - 950 118 119 120 SIR MICHAEL CAINE COLLECTION 73 For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.
I have lived with and loved the items in this sale for many years, with each item telling its own story. And although I’m sorry to be saying goodbye to some old friends, it gives me huge pleasure to know they will be heading to new homes where I hope they give the new owners as much pleasure as they have given Shakira and myself.
”
22 | Portfolio © A.M.P.A.S ® 6 BONHAMS
1 ZULU Paramount, 1964, Italian four-foglio cinema poster, artwork by Mauro Colizzi, folded, 200cm x 140cm (79in x 55in) £1,000 - 1,500 €1,200 - 1,800 US$1,400 - 2,000 “If 1,200 men couldn’t hold a defensive position this morning, what chance have we with one hundred?” - Lt. Gonville Bromhead [Sir Michael Caine] The BAFTA award-nominated war epic was one of Sir Michael Caine’s first starring roles on the big screen, as the steely Lieutenant Bromhead. Zulu depicts the 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift, which saw a small number of British soldiers defend a field hospital from thousands of Zulu warriors against seemingly insurmountable odds. The dramatic artwork was designed by Mauro Colizzi, a prominent poster artist for Italian cinema in the 1960’s. In addition to Zulu Colizzi’s other designs include the Italian releases of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), Jason and the Argonauts (1963), and It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963). Due to the fragility of the present Lot, the poster is being archivally restored and backed on linen. 2 AFTER KEITH ROCCO (AMERICAN, 20TH CENTURY) Rorke’s Drift Photographic reproduction, 1990, signed and numbered 471/850 in pencil, also signed by Sir Michael Caine in pen on the reverse of the frame, framed Sheet 62.2cm x 86.2cm (24 1/2in x 34in) £150 - 250 €180 - 300 US$200 - 340 3 ZULU A colour reproduction poster of the Italian Style B poster, artwork by Mauro Colizzi, signed in black ink by Sir Michael Caine, together with a colour photographic print of Sir Michael Caine in costume, inscribed in black ink ‘to Colin’, The poster 70cm x 99cm (27 1/2in x 39in) (2) £100 - 150 €120 - 180 US$140 - 200 2 8 BONHAMS For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. 1 SIR MICHAEL CAINE COLLECTION 9
“
Michael Caine: The Personal Collection Catalogue
2024 | 23 41 FOUR FILM POSTERS FOR ADVENTURE & ROMANTIC FILMS STARRING SIR MICHAEL CAINE, 1960’s-1970’s, Comprising Hurry Sundown, Paramount, 1967, Belgian poster, signed in black ink by Sir Michael Caine; The Last Valley Cinerama, 1971, Belgian poster, signed in black ink by Nigel Davenport; Kidnapped British Lion, 1971, US insert poster, signed in silver ink by Sir Michael Caine, 35.5cm x 91.5cm (14in x 36in); and The Romantic Englishwoman, Fox-Rank, 1975, Belgian poster, signed ‘To Sebastian’ in blue ink by Glenda Jackson and in black ink by Michael Lonsdale, Each Belgian poster 35.5cm x 56cm (14in x 22in) (4) £200 - 300 €240 - 360 US$270 - 410 42 ZULU A colour reproduction poster of the Italian Style B poster, artwork by Mauro Colizzi, signed in black ink by Sir Michael Caine, 70cm x 99cm (27 1/2in x 39in) £100 - 150 €120 - 180 US$140 - 200 39 HURRY SUNDOWN Paramount, 1967, US one sheet cinema poster, artwork by David Weisman, signed in black ink by Sir Michael Caine, 69cm x 104cm (27in x 41in) £300 - 500 €360 - 600 US$410 - 680 Hurry Sundown depicts an ultimately tragic dispute over land ownership in the American south. Sir Michael Caine has since costarred in two more films with Jane Fonda, in California Suite (1978) and Youth (2015). Prior to this film, poster artist David Weisman primarily designed Italian film posters including Federico Fellini’s 8 1/2 (1963). 40 BATTLE OF BRITAIN United Artists, 1969, US one sheet cinema poster, signed in black ink by Sir Michael Caine, 69cm x 104cm (27in x 41in) £300 - 500 €360 - 600 US$410 - 680 Sir Michael Caine starred in Battle of Britain as part of a stellar cast of British talent, including Laurence Olivier, Trevor Howard, Christopher Plummer, and Ian McShane. The film is well remembered for its audacious flying sequences using around 100 real aircraft over the course of production. 40 39 28 BONHAMS For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. Lot 41 115 SHAKIRA CAINE: GEM-SET COLLAR Composed of articulating cup-shaped links issuing spherical terminals, inset with circularcut colourless pastes Signed Shakira Adjustable length 36.5cm - 39.2cm £500 - 700 €600 - 840 US$680 - 950 116 SHAKIRA CAINE: GLASS BEAD COLLAR The spherical beads of apple green glass accented by conical bead spacers, suspending a fringe of fan-shaped pendants with granulation detail Unsigned Necklace length 45.0cm, glass beads approx. 15.0mm diameter, fan-shaped pendants 6.2cm x 8.0cm £500 - 700 €600 - 840 US$680 - 950 117 SHAKIRA CAINE: GEM-SET COLLAR Composed of articulating cup-shaped links issuing spherical terminals, inset with circularcut colourless pastes Signed Shakira Adjustable length 36.5cm - 41.0cm £500 - 700 €600 - 840 US$680 - 950 115 116 117 72 BONHAMS For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. 118 SHAKIRA CAINE: TEXTURED FRINGE NECKLACE Each spherical bead with granulation and ropetwist detail, suspending a fringe of navette-shaped finials, with applied granulation in a variety of pear-shaped patterns Unsigned Adjustable length 38.0cm - 40.5cm £500 - 700 €600 - 840 US$680 - 950 119 SHAKIRA CAINE: GEM-SET NECKLACE The articulated collar of circular and pearshaped colourless paste, with pear-shaped red paste accents, mounted throughout in foiled and closed back settings, issuing a fringe of red glass beads Signed Shakira, some glass beads missing and one loose Adjustable length 33.5cm - 40.0cm, Shakira Caine box £500 - 700 €600 - 840 US$680 - 950 120 SHAKIRA CAINE: TWO FRINGE NECKLACES 1st: The two rows of figure-of-eight linking issuing a fringe of hollow ‘plumes’ surmounted by engraved floral motifs, via textured lozenge-shaped plaques, on a spigalink backchain, 2nd: Of similar design, issuing a fringe of fluted rosettes with bead terminals, sold together with a photograph reproduction of Shakira Caine modelling some of her jewellery range, Both unsigned Lengths: 1st 36.5cm, 2nd 41.0cm (3) £500 - 700 €600 - 840 US$680 - 950 118 119 120 SIR MICHAEL CAINE COLLECTION 73 For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. Bonhams
Claude de Marteau Part IV
Bonhams
8
2024 | 29 It was in this living room where first met Claude in 2000. Fresh to the field and slightly nervous about meeting the notoriously reclusive and admired dealer, I was relieved to find Claude a very hospitable and gracious host. Yet Claude did not mince his words: he freely shared his views about the poor state of the market and his disapproval of the approach of the auction houses regarding estimates. Despite best efforts to find a compromise, I walked away empty handed, uncertain as to whether would be received again. Fast forward to 2016 when, with little more than a few brief exchanges over the previous 16 years, I received word from Olivier Demianoff, Claude’s nephew. “Claude would like to talk.” During our short call it was evident that Claude’s health was not good, his breath was labored and his words came slowly. Claude invited me to visit Brussels to discuss the potential sale of his collection, making special mention of the Sandui (Guhyasamaja) in his collection that he believed was a mate to the Sandui of the Pan Asian collection (sold in 1982). was on a plane a week later. Nothing had changed since 2000. The interior of the grand living room on the 2nd floor and the various decorative Southeast Asian items remained exactly in the same spaces they had occupied during my first visit. On this occasion, however, was led down a dark, narrow staircase to a basement, its walls lined by jars of nails, timber panels, and recycled home improvement materials. A door to the left opened to reveal a room with simple metal shelving and a large wood-work bench. When the light-switch was turned on, the contents of the shelves left me stunned. Hundreds of superb Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian sculptures were interspersed with paint cans and cleaning materials. It appeared that most of the sculpture had been untouched for decades. Seeking Claude’s permission to inspect the collection, I reached for the small but powerful figure of Virupa. Magnificent in every respect, the Virupa, which had known from the 2003 publication of ‘Cast for Eternity’ (Antwerp exhibition), did not disappoint in person. turned to Claude and offered to place it on the front cover of our next sale in New York. Despite his poor health, his eyes lit up and his face beamed. The conversation that followed revealed that Claude, knowing his death was imminent, was looking for a long-term partner to help his nephew Olivier with the organization and sale of his collection. Sadly, Claude passed away shortly thereafter, in 2017. Olivier and undertook the next steps carefully to set out a road map to honor Claude’s wishes. It was a massive undertaking to document and organize a collection of several thousand objects that had been accumulated over 50 years. What an adventure it was for our team. Together with Mark Rasmussen and Doris Jin Huang, we searched every shelf, drawer, and hidden crawl space throughout the house, finding treasure after treasure. One of the most surprising finds was a previously un-recorded gem-like figure of Manjushri from China’s Yongle period (14031424; lot 8) that was tucked away in the back lower shelf in a tight corner. Perhaps, one might speculate, Claude had hidden it intentionally to ensure he would not be tempted to sell it. Fortunately for us, Claude left behind an impressive archive of his travels and his passion for both African and Asian Art, gardens, and architecture. As with his pursuit of art, he was obsessive in his thirst for knowledge. The piles and files of documents, articles, publications, and preserved snippets from magazines and newspapers attest to his life as a passionate collector. The Claude de Marteau Collection is a unique assemblage of art gathered over decades by a pioneer with a discerning eye who paid great attention to detail. Although until recently his name had remained relatively anonymous, Claude’s influence on the field of Indian and Himalayan Art is clearly significant and profound. It is an honor for Bonhams to have been entrusted with this remarkable project and we are grateful to Olivier Demianoff and Catherine Antonaccio for the open access they have afforded us. We are also grateful for Dr. Pratapaditya Pal, Claudine Bautze Picron, Jane Casey, and Jeff Watt for their critical input in the preparations of the catalogues. His collection alone serves as an enduring legacy to Claude, the master dealer and passionate collector. Edward Wilkinson 2023
de Marteau
Claude
BONHAMS 12 | BONHAMS 1 A BRASS FIGURE OF ACHALA NORTHEASTERN INDIA, PALA PERIOD, 12TH CENTURY The back of the figure later inscribed in Tibetan with the Achala consecration mantra, Om Chandamaharoshana Hum Phat Himalayan Art Resources item no. 4952 12.1 cm (4 3/4 in.) high HKD500,000 - 700,000 印度東北部 帕拉時期 十二世紀 不動明王銅像 Published: Arman Neven, Le tantrisme dans l’art et la pensée, Bruxelles, 1974, p. 76, no. 385 (misidentified as Kalamanjushri, Nepal). Exhibited: Le tantrisme dans l’art et la pensée, Palais des Beaux-Arts, Bruxelles, 7 March - 10 April 1974. Provenance: With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970s Achala, the Immovable One, is a meditational deity yidam tasked with holding the sacred ground of a mandala and safeguarding vulnerable practitioners from evil forces as the Remover of Obstacles. In Hinduism, this role is reserved for the elephant-headed god Ganesha, who is represented here as the Creator of Obstacles and subdued alongside his father, the Hindu deity Shiva. Meanwhile, Achala lifts a sword in his right hand while holding a vajra lasso and displaying the pointed threatening gesture tarjani mudra in his left. Located at the lower edges of the base is a motif of a rising sun, a rare iconographic detail that nevertheless appears on another Pala figure of Achala in the Tibet Museum, Gruyères (ABS 035; HAR200417). Unlike his depictions either as a plump, bearded dwarf or with one knee on the ground, this slender, standing form of Achala is reminiscent of an iconography that was popular between the 11th and 13th centuries. As noted by Dr. Pal in reference to a 12th century thangka, “the complete title of the text [devoted exclusively to the principal deity Achala] is Ekallavira Chandamaharoshana-tantra...the first epithet of the deity which is ekallavira or ‘sole hero.’ This not only accounts for his heroic combative posture, that of a classical archer, but also his belligerent appearance and his slim, elegant form, or ‘excellent body,’ according to Atisha [982-1054].” (Pal, “An early Tibetan mandala of Ekallavira Achala in a private collection: An Art Historical Analysis,” asianart.com, 9 September 2013; HAR 30529.) This and another 12th century Tibetan thangka (HAR 594), both of which adhere to the Northeast Indian tradition, share the following work’s dynamic stride and fluttering scarf ends. This stylistic parallel, in addition to the Tibetan inscription located at the figure’s back, attest once more to the close contacts between Tibet and India during this period. Also note the quality of the present lot’s brassy patina and tall lotus base to a Pala sculpture of Chakrasamvara in the British Museum (1976,0927.1; HAR 34433) and a dwarf-like image of Achala formerly in the Robert Ellsworth Collection, sold at Sotheby’s, New York, 22 September 2000, lot 87; HAR 35969. Lastly, compare the scrolling stems beneath the lotus petals to a Pala period tsatsa in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (AC1993.239.12). THE CLAUDE DE MARTEAU COLLECTION, PART IV 13 Bonhams
30 | Portfolio CHICAGO ÉGYPTE ARABIE SAOUDITE ALGÉRIE TUNISIE MAROC NORVÈGE SUÈDE GROENLAND (DANEMARK) OCÉAN ATLANTIQUE NORD OCÉAN ATLANTIQUE SUD OCÉAN AUSTRAL OCÉAN INDIEN OCÉAN PACIFIQUE SUD OCÉAN PACIFIQUE NORD OCÉAN ARCTIQUE FRANCE ALLEMAGNE IRAN RUSSIE UKRAINE KAZAKHSTAN CHINE AUSTRALIE MONGOLIE INDE THAILANDE JAPON OCÉAN PACIFIQUE NORD OCÉAN ARCTIQUE Traversée du Pacifique Téréran Traversée du Pacifique NEW-YORK CANADA ALASKA ÉTATS-UNIS ANTARTIQUE BRÉSIL Claude de Marteau's maiden voyage around the world in 1954 ARABIE SAOUDITE ALGÉRIE TUNISIE MAROC NORVÈGE SUÈDE (DANEMARK) OCÉAN ATLANTIQUE NORD OCÉAN SUD OCÉAN AUSTRAL OCÉAN PACIFIQUE SUD OCÉAN PACIFIQUE NORD FRANCE ALLEMAGNE IRAN RUSSIE KAZAKHSTAN CHINE AUSTRALIE MONGOLIE THAILANDE OCÉAN NORD ARCTIQUE Traversée Traversée 84 BONHAMS 33 A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF SHRI DEVI TIBET, 18TH CENTURY Himalayan Art Resources item no. 4908 20.2 cm (7 15/16 in.) high HKD400,000 - 600,000 西藏 十八世紀 銅鎏金吉祥天母像 Provenance: With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970s The origins of the wrathful tantric deity Shri Devi, also known as Palden Lhamo, and Magzor Gyalmo (Queen of War), derive from the Brahmanical goddess Durga. Known in Tibet as a defender of the faith, she is fearsomely depicted riding a mule on a saddle of flayed human skin, concealing her emanation as the compassionate bodhisattva Tara. In her dynamic, yogic posture comprising an outstretched right arm, a left hand holding a skull cup, and a scarf fluttering around her head, she accomplishes her mission as an active goddess protecting the Dharma. Her role links her specifically to the Gelug order as the defender of the Dalai Lamas. Linked in style to Tashi Lhunpo, a monastery built by the First Dalai Lama, Gedun Drubpa (1391-1474) located in Shigatse, Central Tibet, this Shri Devi illustrates the connection between art and their associative religious orders. The thick, orbed treatment of the mandorla, the lotus petal design, and decorative elements are similar in modeling to images with stylistic connections to Tashi Lhunpo monastery, including a Hayagriva figure in the Musée Guimet (von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, 1981, p. 455, no. 125F); a Vajrabhairava image sold at Bonhams, Hong Kong, 29 November 2016, lot 13; and a figure of Chakrasamvara from the Claude de Marteau Collection, Part 2, sold in Bonhams, Paris, 4 October 2022, lot 36. Other similarities, particularly with the bubbles of jewels along the base and baroque treatment of the aureole, closely relate to a thangka of White Mahakala, which features an image of Shri Devi in the lower right corner (Thurman & Rhie, Worlds of Transformation 1999, no. 145, pp. 385-6). THE CLAUDE DE MARTEAU COLLECTION, PART IV 85
Claude de Marteau Part IV Catalogue
2024 | 31 116 BONHAMS 54 A GREY SCHIST RELIEF PANEL OF THE ENTREATY TO PREACH ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, SWAT VALLEY, CIRCA 3RD CENTURY 25 x 26 cm (9 7/8 x 10 /4 in.) HKD100,000 - 150,000 犍陀羅 斯瓦特 約三世紀 片岩梵天勸請圖碑 Provenance: With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970s The Buddha sits under the leaves of the peepul tree on a raised plinth covered in kusha grass, referencing the place of his enlightenment. Illustrating the narrative as described in the Mahavatsu, four flanking bodhisattvas raise their arms in anjali mudra in a gesture of supplication, imploring the Buddha to teach. Stylistically, the plinth, mustachioed face, the tightly abstracted lines of the hair, and drapery reference images from the Swat Valley. Numerous examples depicting the same subject and style are published in Luczanits, Gandhara: Das Buddhistische erbe Pakistans 2008, p. 182, fig. 3, and pp. 203 & 237, nos. 119c & 183; and Ingholt, Gandharan Art in Pakistan, 1957, no. 71. Also see other examples sold at Christie’s, London, 16 June 1987, lot 371; Christie’s, Amsterdam, 5 December 1989, lot 137; and Sotheby’s, New York, 5 December 1992, lot 60. THE CLAUDE DE MARTEAU COLLECTION, PART IV 117 55 A GREY SCHIST RELIEF PANEL OF THE BUDDHA’S PARINIRVANA ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 2ND/3RD CENTURY 23.5 x 26.7 cm (9 1/4 x 10 1/2 in.) HKD80,000 - 120,000 犍陀羅 二/三世紀 片岩佛陀涅槃圖碑 Provenance: With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970s The following Gandharan panel illustrates the Buddha’s passing into nirvana within a lush forest while surrounded by grieving followers. This particular imagining of Shakyamuni’s body resting on an elaborate couch and wrapped in layers of cloth shares it design to panels in the Brooklyn Museum of Art (69.125.8), and the Asian Art Museum, Berlin (published in Kurita, Gandharan Art, Vol. I: The Buddha’s Life Story 2003, fig. 496). Also see other comparable works in the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, National Museum of Asian Art, Washington D.C., and the British Museum (ibid, figs. 482, 483 & 486), as well as several other panels where his head is shrouded (ibid, figs. 494-9). 104 BONHAMS 50 A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF MANJUVAJRA AND PRAJNAPARAMITA NEPAL, DATED 1876 The base has a dedicatory inscription dated Samvat 996 corresponding to 1876 CE. Himalayan Art Resources item no. 4930 16.8 cm (6 5/8 in.) high HKD80,000 - 120,000 尼泊爾 1876年 銅鎏金文殊金剛及般若佛母像 Provenance: With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970s Identified by the sword and manuscript he brandishes in his upper hands, Manjuvajra is the four-headed and eight-armed form of Manjushri. Seated in royal ease lalitasana), he is joined in blissful union by his diminutive female consort, Prajnaparamita, who embodies the sutra of the same name. The bronze’s inscription, translates to: “On Tuesday the fourth of the bright half of Phalgun in the (Nepal Samvat) year 996 (Feb-Mar, 1876), this image of Vajradhatu was made in the name of the deceased father Lama Narsingh and his wife Mana thakun; made by his son Dhija Birsingh”. Images from the Late Malla period are often adorned with elaborate, flaming aureoles to stress the cosmic power of their respective deities. Examples of Manjuvajra-Prajnaparamita pairs that share this double-layered arch can be found in von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, 1981, pp. 389, 391 & 392, nos. 106F, 107F & 108C. Also see another example from the Claude de Marteau Collection, Part 1, sold in Bonhams, Paris, 14 June 2022, lot 40. THE CLAUDE DE MARTEAU COLLECTION, PART IV 105 51 THREE SILVER BUTTER LAMPS TIBET, 19TH/20TH CENTURY Himalayan Art Resources item no. 4946 Largest: 18.5 cm (7 1/4 in.) high HKD20,000 - 30,000 西藏 十九/二十世紀 銀質油燈三盞 Provenance: With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970s The following lot consists of three butter lamps in the shape of an inverted bell and a stem-foot embellished with lotus petals. One is chased with floral emblems; another features a kalasha at the center of the foot; and a third shares a similar beading decoration and is incised with flowerheads around the center of the stem. A silver butter lamp referencing the kalasha and engraved emblems was sold at Bonhams, San Francisco, 30 August 2011, lot 6585. Bonhams
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2024 | 37 Bring it to Bonhams We’ll sell it to the world Enquiries 01483 504 030 isleofwight@bonhams.com sell.bonhams.com Forthcoming valuation event Art, Antiques & Jewellery Lakeside Park Hotel, Ryde | 16 March 2022 Bonhams Art Antiques & Jewllery Regonal Print Advert
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