Page 144 - Christie's Hong Kong Important Chinese Works Of Art May 30 2022

2889 Continued

The present figure represents the ferocious, thirty-four-armed form of Museum of Art by Christian Humann (M.76.143) , see P. Pal, Art of Tibet,
the deity Vajrabhairava, a manifestation of the bodhisattva Manjusri, 1983, p.105, pl.41 and pp.216-217, fig.S28.A closely related figure
with his consort, Vajra Vetali. Vajrabhairava is one of the principle of similar size, style and dating was sold at Christie’s New York,
meditational deities in the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism, which 18 March 2015, lot 4023 (fig. 1) Another comparable but larger (34.3cm.)
from the 17th century was the dominant religious power in Tibet. The example dated to Qianlong period was sold at Christie’s New York,
Qing emperors maintained direct links with the dignitaries of the Gelug 15-16 March 2015, lot 3214 (fig. 2).
sect, including the Dalai and Panchen Lamas, and propagated this form
of Buddhism within China itself, sponsoring the lavish construction
of numerous temples in and around the capital of Beijing. In the 18th
century, the Qianlong Emperor promoted himself as a manifestation 大威德金剛，梵語稱「閻曼達嘎」，漢語可稱為大威德明王，亦可直稱閻
of Manjusri as well, underlining his wisdom, compassion, and spiritual 魔敵，藏密認為祂是文殊菩薩之憤怒相的化身。「威」表示降伏惡魔的威猛
transcendence. Images of Vajrabhairava, therefore, carried both a 力量，「德」則代表智慧摧破煩惱業障，為五大明王之一，也是藏傳佛教尊
religious and political weight, fulfilling their role within Gelug worship 奉的主要本尊之一。文殊菩薩是宗喀巴的本尊，因此大威德金剛像在宗喀
and practice, while simultaneously promoting the lineage of the Emperor.
As such, and in view of the exquisite casting quality, the present bronze 巴創立的格魯派受到極大的尊崇。格魯派在漢地稱為黃教，至十七世紀，
is most likely to have been a special commission sent as a gift to the 已經成為西藏地區最有影響力的派別，並在後來受到清廷的扶持。
Qianlong Emperor.
藏傳佛教稱清朝皇帝為文殊皇帝，乾隆皇帝更是利用文殊菩薩化身，以政
教合一方式對西藏地區進行統治。他對藏傳佛教格魯派尤其扶持，並以
Exquisitely cast in several parts, this bronze depicts Vajrabhairava 「興黃教即所以安眾蒙古」這一根本治國方略的繼承、延續和發展而維護
standing in alidhasana atop geese, bulls, and prostrated figures over a
raised double-lotus base. His primary buffalo face is surmounted by tiers 了帝國的大一統；因雍正皇帝篤信佛教，乾隆皇帝年幼時便成長在濃厚的
of wrathful heads and a diadem of flaming hair. He holds a curved knife 佛教氛圍中，從小就跪受密法。至乾隆一朝，清宮內外，大小佛堂不計其數，
and skull cup in his lower hands, while the rest of his hands, each holding 以供帝王隨時禮佛修法。此時清宮內務府造辦處、中正殿念經處以及西藏
an implement, radiate at his sides. Vajra Vetali stands with one leg 僧俗領袖製作或進貢了大量佛像、唐卡、法器，此尊大威德金剛既是典型
wrapped around his waist, back arched and arms raised holding a curved
knife and skull cup in her hands. Both figures are adorned with beaded 一例。
jewellry and skull crowns, a garland suspending severed heads, and in 此尊大威德金剛工藝精湛，鑄造精良，體現出典型的十八世紀漢藏風格
between there is a flayed elephant skin on the reverse.
的同時，又迎合了清代宮廷的審美，其渾圓的蓮瓣以及對主尊氣勢恢弘的
表現手法，皆是清代宮廷與西藏宗教藝術相互影響的典型例證。大威德
Following the Pala tradition of masterful non-gilt bronze work, this 金剛像見於重要博物館珍藏與拍賣市場。美國底特律美術館藏一件稍大
sculpture retains a rich dark brown patina overall, and is characteristic of
Lamaist sculpture from the Qing dynasty. Fully realised and exceptionally （36.8 公分）的十八世紀銅鎏金大威德金剛像，館藏編號 2018.69，尤其
cast, this work is among the finest sculptural figures of its kind. 造像底座與本尊類似；亦可參考美國洛杉磯郡立美術館藏一尊銅鎏金
十七世紀例。
Examples of similar modelling and construction are seen in important 一尊非常近似、尺寸相若的西藏十八世紀大威德金剛例，同為沒有鎏金，
museum collections and auctions. Compare with a related work of larger
size (36.8 cm.) and similar raised lotus base in the collection of Detroit 拍賣於紐約佳士得，2015年3月18日，拍品編號4023（圖一）；另一尊尺寸較
Institute of Arts(acc.no.2018.69). See also a 17th century example with 此尊稍大，定年清乾隆，拍賣於紐約佳士得，2015年3月15-16日，拍品
nearly identical iconography was gifted to the Los Angeles County 編號3214（圖二）。

fig. 1 Sold at Christie’s New York, fig. 2 Sold at Christie’s New York,
18 March 2015, lot 423 15-16 March 2015, lot 3214
圖一 紐約佳士得，2015年3月18日，拍品423號 圖二 紐約佳士得，2015年3月15-16日，拍品3214號

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