佛像鉴定鉴赏收藏

尺寸：高41cm
年代：16世纪
质地：黄铜合金
风格：西藏
来源：拍卖会
成交：75,000美元(2018.03)
参阅：纽约邦瀚斯
鉴赏：
A BRASS ALLOY FIGURE OF VAJRADHARA
TIBET, 16TH CENTURY
Inscribed around the base.
Himalayan Art Resources item no.61547
古比特佛像网, 编号: 金刚总持:金刚总持121
16 1/8 in. (41 cm) high

西藏 十六世紀 金剛總持銅像

This sizable sculpture bears a valuable inscription, translated:

“In order to fulfill the aspiration of an incomparable precious master, this image of Vajradhara was sponsored by accomplished Godtsang masters and disciples. Created by the hand of father and son Phandar artists. May the merit of sponsoring this image help its sponsors be reborn among the closest disciples to their master.”

The bronze's overall appearance is informed by the imperial Yongle style that circulated throughout Tibet in the form of diplomatic gifts from the Ming court to major monasteries. Decorative elements such as the pooling of the robes in loose folds over the legs, and the elongated lotus petals of the base, betray the awareness of 'Phandar artists' of the early Ming style of Buddhist bronzes. However, Tibetan departures include the tall pointed crown and use of turquoise inlay. Compare for example a Tibetan 15th-century Vajradhara now in the Palace Museum, Beijing (Cultural Relics of Tibetan Buddhism Collected in the Qing Palace, Beijing, 1992, p.86, pl.58). The crown type and treatment of the lotus base is also similar to a Vajradhara illustrated in von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1981, p.439, no.117F.

According to the Nyingma School, Vajradhara is an emanation of Buddha Samantabhadra. Meanwhile, the other predominant Tibetan Buddhist schools see him as the secret form of Shakyamuni Buddha and the combined essence of the Buddhas of all ten directions and three periods of time gathered as one. From Vajradhara arise important deities such as Guhyasamaja, Shri Hevajra, and Chakrasamvara.

Provenance
Spink & Sons Ltd, London, 1998
Private West Coast Collection