Page 49 - Contenplating the Divie Buddhist Art Christies Hong Kong

The application of gold-foil was a difficult process. First three layers of thin 這尊觀音曾發表於羅璧姹（Petra Rösch）的
gold-foil leaves were joined together through heating, thereby creating 水月觀音專著 。羅氏在書中列舉和研究了中國
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a thicker and less easily-tearable sheet. Next, a sharp bamboo knife cut 境內的造像，以及許多上一世紀二、三十年代從
threads of gold-foil up to 3mm in width, that were applied to the painted 中國廟宇運至西方的作品。此像最早是在 1937
surface, or to the gesso ground, using glue or lacquer. Geometrical 年倫敦的《佳士得、曼森及伍茲拍賣圖錄》中
patterns were built up using the gold threads, to mimic those of figured 亮相並售出，其後被納入北安普敦郡的洛奇珍
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silk. The traces of deep red decoration with fine gold lines were found on 藏（F. Brodie Lodge，1880-1967 年），並
a small area at the back, right-hand side of the Christie’s figure.
於 1988 年經倫敦蘇富比拍出。及至 1990 年，
This figure was published by Petra Rösch in her book on images of Water- 此像在倫敦著名古董商埃斯肯納齊（Giuseppe
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Moon Guanyin. She describes and researches images still in situ in China, Eskenazi）的圖錄中再度露面 。
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and also many that were removed from temples during the 1920s and
1930s, and sent to the West. This sculpture is first mentioned in a Christie, 觀乎此，這尊水月觀音可謂飽經滄桑。它原是為
Manson and Woods auction catalogue of 1937, when it was sold in London. 華北一所廟宇製作的彩繪雕像，該地區當時已
The Guanyin then came into the collection of F. Brodie Lodge (1880-1967), 為北方外族統治，先是遼國（公元 907 至 1125
Northamptonshire, and was later sold at a Sotheby’s sale in London in 年），後有金代（公元 1115 至 1234 年）。遼
1988. He then later made his next appearance in a 1990 catalogue of the 金子民原為遊牧民族，祖先為稱雄北方大草原的
distinguished London art dealer Giuseppe Eskenazi. 6 匈奴。遼金二國其後改信佛教，廣建佛寺。佛教
流派之一的華嚴宗在遼國盛極一時，其教義皆以
This Water Moon Guanyin has thus travelled a long path. He was originally
carved and painted for a temple in north China, at a time when the region 《華嚴經》為依據。山西儼然為華嚴宗重鎮，亦
was under the control of rulers from the north, first the Liao ( 907-1125), 是許多木雕造像的產地。
and then the Jin (1115-1234). Both were originally nomadic tribesmen, 金代統治者繼承了這一宗教傳統，其國教薩滿教
descended from the great tribes of Huns in the northern steppelands.
Both empires became devoutly Buddhist, constructing temples and 也終為佛教取代。歷朝帝王大肆興建莊嚴雄偉的
monasteries. The most important Buddhist sect of the Liao empire was 寺庵，其間供奉的宗教雕塑和造像多不勝數。金
the Huayan Sect, whose foundation derived from the Flower Garland Sutra. 代僧侶考選三年一次，僧官制度下至郡縣。顯而
The centre of the Huayuan school of Buddhism was Shanxi province, the 易見，十二世紀的中國朝廷不吝贊助佛教，其佛
area where many wooden sculptures were made. 寺、墓葬文物和工藝品創造了一筆無輝煌的文化
遺產，此尊木雕置身其間，其珍罕程度自不待
Jin dynasty rulers built on this religious tradition, adopting Buddhism as 言。
the state religion in place of Shamanism. In their turn they built impressive
monasteries and nunneries, filled with religious statuary and icons. Buddhist
monks had to be examined every three years, and the Buddhist community
was organized down to county level. It is evident that China was lavish in its
patronage of Buddhism in the 12th century, ensuring a rich legacy of temples,
tombs and artefacts - including this lovely wooden statue.

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