Page 45 - Christie's July 9th 2020 Hong Kong Buddhist Art Under Empire

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ASIAN COLLECTION
SOLD TO BENEFIT MENTAL HEALTH CHARITIES IN ASIA
亞洲私人珍藏 — 有關收益將捐贈予亞洲精神健康慈善機構

2711
A SMALL GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF JAMBHALA 清康熙三十二年（1693） 鎏金銅黑財神立像
INCISED KANGXI 32ND YEAR MARK, CORRESPONDING TO 1693 「大清康熙三十二年五月初三日誠」楷書刻款
AND OF THE PERIOD
The figure is shown standing above a supine figure on a lotus 造像鑄工精緻，鎏金厚重，糅合漢藏元素，為典型康熙朝藏傳佛像之風
plinth, his left hand holding a jabhara, his right hand holding 格。滿清皇室為鞏固與蒙古及西藏的政治聯盟，對藏傳佛教崇尚備至。
a mongoose disgorging jewels. His face is cast with a fierce 康熙皇帝好佛，於三十六年（1697）在宮中中正殿成立中正殿念經處，
expression with a bulging third eye, his hair pulled into a 歸內務府管轄，負責供奉佛像、著經、管理喇嘛念經及辦造佛像等事務。
flaming chignon secured with a foliate tiara set with skulls. 康熙祖母孝莊文皇后本為蒙古公主，篤信藏傳佛教，康熙皇帝受其影響，
The front of the lotus plinth is incised above the bottom with 是以對宮中佛教事務非常關心。
an inscription reading ‘Respectfully made on the 3rd day of 5th
month of Kangxi 32nd year’. The base is unsealed, exposing
sutra scrolls inside.
4 ⅞ in. (12.4 cm.) high, box
HK$80,000-120,000 US$11,000-16,000
The delicate details, slightly angular features and heavy gilding seen
on the current figure are characteristic of Buddhist bronzes made
in Sino-Tibetan style during the Kangxi period. It is both a reflection
of the religious beliefs of the Kangxi emperor and a reminder of the
political importance of Tibetan Buddhism to the Manchu ruling house
in forging their alliance with Mongolia and Tibet. In Kangxi 36th year
(1697), a Sutra Recitation Office was set up within the palace in the
Zhongzhengdian (Hall of Central Uprightness), devoted to Tibetan
Buddhist activities at court, including conducting the recitation of
sutras and supervising the casting and storage of Buddhist images
and religious ritual objects. Thus it appears the Emperor’s devotion to
Tibetan Buddhism was beyond political calculation, and was possibly
influenced by his grandmother, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, who
was a Mongol princess and adherent of Tibetan Buddhism.

base
底部

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