Page 36 - Christie's Hong Kong May 31, 2017 Fine Buddhist Works of Art

2810

A TIBETO-CHINESE GILT-BRONZE
FIGURE OF VAJRADHARA

15TH CENTURY

The figure is modelled seated in dhyanasana on a double-lotus base
with the hands crossed in front of the chest holding the ghanta and
vajra. The eyes downcast with lips indented to provide a smiling
expression, under the swept back hair secured by a five-leaf crown
tied with ribbons floating beside pendulous ears that are adorned
with large circular earrings. Wearing armlets and an elaborate
bejewelled necklace across the bare torso, and a further bejewelled
belt over the voluminous dhoti finely incised with floral scrolls.
8 æ in. (22.5 cm.) high

HK$500,000-700,000 US$65,000-90,000

PROVENANCE

Acquired in Asia, 7 January 1983

Vajradhara is the tantric manifestation of Shakyamuni Buddha.
In Tantric Buddhism it is known as the primordial Buddha, the
expounder of tantric teachings as identified by the hands crossed
in vajrahumkara mudra. During the early 15th century, close
diplomatic ties with China encouraged the exchange of motifs in
the production of the Buddhist images. It is interesting to note
the fine incised floral design on the dhoti of the present figure,
and those found on Ming dynasty Yongle lacquer sutra covers, as
lot 2816 in the present sale and those included in the exhibition,
East Asian Lacquer: The Florence and Herbert Irving Collection, 1991,
and illustrated in the Catalogue, p. 117, no. 49.

十五世紀 鎏金銅金剛總持坐像

來源
1983年1月7日購於亞洲

金剛總持又稱執金剛神，在藏傳佛教中被視為本初佛、原始佛，尤
為噶舉派所尊崇。形象多見手執金剛鈴及杵於胸前，代表智慧與善
巧的結合。

本金剛總持像的裙上鏨華麗的纏枝蓮紋，紋飾工整有規律，可與永
樂宣德御製瓷上的青花纏枝蓮紋相呼應，亦可見於同期漆器上，
如同場拍賣中一件永樂朱漆挾經板上的戧金纏枝花卉紋飾，見拍
品2816；及另一例展覽於《East Asian Lacquer: The Florence and
Herbert Irving Collection》，1991年，頁117，圖版49號。

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