A LARGE RARE GILT-BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF SAMANTABHADRA

细节

A LARGE RARE GILT-BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF SAMANTABHADRA
MING DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY

The figure is finely cast seated with both legs pendent in bhadrasana both atop individual lotus socles, both hands holding a rolled parchment at chest level, the gentle features with eyes downcast in a manner of contemplation, adorned with an elaborate diadem centred by a stack of jewels above a lotus base, the hair swept back into a topknot with two side plaits falling onto each shoulders above the sheer garment, partially covering the bare torso exposing a network of bejewelled ornamental chains, the dhoti tied at the waist with a bow, the deity is seated on the back of a recumbent elephant, the elephant is modelled with long tusks, its head turned to one side, the head and body variously festooned with further jewellery chains, all above a double lotus pedestal of oval cross-section
24 in. (61 cm.) high

来源

The Estate of O. Roy Chalk, New York and West Palm Beach

拍品专文

The present Bodhisattva is identified as Samantabhadra, or Puxian Pusa. The deity is known as 'He whose bounty is omnipresent' and represents the Buddhist Law and compassion. Samantabhadra is associated with Manjusri, or Wenshushili Pusa (Bodhisattva of Wisdom), alongside whom he is one of the acolytes of Sakyamuni in the group of the three venerables of Sakyamuni.

The present sculpture belongs to a small group of large seated Buddhist gilt-bronzes dated to the mid to late Ming period, often with separately cast lotus bases raised on galleried plinths. Amongst this group, it is highly unusual to find an image of Samantabhadra. Cf. three related figures of Avalokitesvara in the Chang Foundation, illustrated in Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal, Taipei, 1993, pp. 88-93, nos. 37-39. The facial features, headdress and stylistic rendition of the garments are characteristics shared with the Chang Foundation images, and in particular the 'jewelled' diadem of the Avalokitesvara (no. 39) is closely comparable to the present figure.