A PAIR OF BRONZE ‘GARUDA’ PALANQUIN HOOKS, ANGKOR PERIOD Khmer Empire, 12^th-13^th century. The ring with a raised inner rim and sides notched vertically and horizontally, supported by a tiered lozenge-form mid-section shaped as lotus petals, the hook modeled as a Garuda with outstretched wings and curved tail.

Provenance: Collection of Leonardo Vigorelli, Bergamo, acquired in Hong Kong during the 1990s. Leonardo Vigorelli is a retired Italian art dealer and noted collector, specializing in African and ancient Hindu-Buddhist art. After studying anthropology and decades of travel as well as extensive field research in India, the Himalayan region, Southeast Asia, and Africa, he founded the Dalton Somaré art gallery in Milan, Italy, which today is being run by his two sons.
Condition: Excellent condition, commensurate with age. Wear, small losses, cracks, minor dents, encrustations. Remnants of gilt. Fine, naturally grown patina with malachite and azurite encrustation.

Weight: 1,581 g and 1,350 g (excl. stands)
Dimensions: Height 21.5 cm (each, excl. stands)

Each with an associated metal stand. (4)

Auction result comparison: Compare a related pair of bronze palanquin hooks, also with lotus and Garuda, at Christie’s New York, 20 March 2012, lot 181, sold for USD 6,250 (USD 7,600 in today’s currency after inflation).