Page 179 - Sotheby's October 3 2017 Tantra Buddhost Art

This early sculpture depicting Shakyamuni Buddha represents 釋迦牟尼佛坐像背部中心銘文識「OM AH HUM」，蓮座背
the early phase of Tibetan Buddhist art during the Chidar, the 面銘文可譯為「Tsül Seng 之守護神祇」，Tsül Seng 應為
Later Diffusion of Faith, that took inspiration from eleventh 藏文人名 Tsültrim Senggé 之縮寫，或為 Gyergom Tsültrim
and twelfth century Pala period (ca. 750-1200) sculptural Senggé（1144-1204年），生卒年與此像風格時期相當，又
traditions of eastern India. The figure is ungilded, in common 稱「大噶爾」，創建修賽寺及修賽噶舉派，師從帕摩竹巴祖
with the majority of metal sculpture from eastern India and in 師。
contrast to the popular gilt copper medium of metal sculpture
from Nepal. This iconographic form of Shakyamuni Buddha, 參考 Jokhang/Tsuglakhang 收藏一尊十三世紀釋迦牟尼佛
in which the historical Buddha is presented in the earth- 像，載於烏爾裡希．馮．施羅德，《西藏佛教雕塑》，香
touching gesture (bhumisparshamudra), recalls an episode 港，2001年，卷2，頁1173，編號313D，同錄二尊同時期之
from his spiritual biography in which he triumphs over Mara 釋迦牟尼像，頁1173，編號313B-C。
(maravijaya) just prior to his enlightenment.

The verso of the figure has a double inscription. At the back
of the figure at heart centre are the vertical consecration
syllables OM AH HUM. The inscription on the lower throne
reads:

“[This is] the tutelary deity of the benefactor Tsül Seng.”

The Tibetan name Tsül Seng is an abbreviation, likely short
for Tsültrim Senggé. It is possible that this may refer to an
historical figure contemporaneous with the current work,
Gyergom Tsültrim Senggé (1144-1204), which would support
a thirteenth century dating. “The Great Gyer” Tsültrim
Senggé was the founder of Shukseb Monastery and the
Shukseb Kagyu lineage, and also the disciple of the renowned
Phagmodrupa, the founder of Densatil Monastery.

Compare the elongated figure, narrow waist and tubular
limbs; the distinctive double-tipped petal motif of each
bulbous petal on the lotus throne; the copper-inlaid outer
edge of the diaphanous sanghati; and the curled double-
edges of the sanghati thrown over the proper left shoulder,
with a thirteenth century bronze figure of Shakyamuni in the
Jokhang/Tsuglakhang collection, see Ulrich von Schroeder,
Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet, Hong Kong, 2001, vol. II, p. 1173,
cat. no. 313D. Also compare the gently sloping hairline, ovoid
facial shape, raised urna, and the upward-curving eyes inlaid
with silver with two further thirteenth century bronze figures
of Shakyamuni, see ibid., p 1173, cat. nos 313B-C.

THE HEART OF TANTRA – BUDDHIST ART INCLUDING PROPERTY FROM THE NYINGJEI LAM COLLECTION 177