A FINE GILT-BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF SADAKSARI

細節

A FINE GILT-BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF SADAKSARI
INCISED YONGLE SIX-CHARACTER MARK AND OF THE PERIOD

The figure crisply cast seated in vajrasana on a double-lotus base with four arms, the forward pair of hands joined in gesture of respectful salutation, anjali mudra, the other pair holding a lotus flower and the bead of a mala, the face with benevolent expression and surmounted by an elaborate diadem, the pendulous ear lobes adorned by large circular earrings resting at each side of the shoulders, the bare chest with linked beaded jewellery chains, wearing a dhoti fastened with similarly decorated belt around the narrow waist, the outline of the feet also traced with beads, the base incised with a six-character mark, Da Ming Yongle nian shi, bestowed in the Great Ming Yongle period (gilding slightly rubbed)
7 1/2 in. (19 cm.) high

拍品專文

This image is representative of a group of Buddhist figures made in China in the first half of the fifteenth century that displays a style influenced by the art of Tibet. In the preceding century, under the Yuan Dynasty, the authority of Mongol rulers had become closely associated with Tibetan Buddhist, or lamaist, ritual. A tradition of lamaist art was established in China and continued on in works of art such as in the present example. Missions to Tibet during the early part of the Ming dynasty sought to maintain good relations with the Tibetan lamas. Furthermore, it is known that the early Ming emperor, Yongle, converted to Buddhism and invited Halima, the fifth Tibetan hierarch, to China in 1407 who officiated a ceremony dedicated to the Emperor's deceased parents. Images such as the present lot appear to have been made as gifts that were exchanged on such visits.

A closely related example was sold in New York, 26 March 1996, lot 6. Another three very similar figures are published, one formerly from the Berti Aschmann Collection, included in the Museum Rietberg exhibition, On the Path to Enlightenment, and illustrated by Uhlig, Catalogue, no. 53; a slightly smaller figure in the Chang Foundation, Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal, Catalogue, no. 30; and the figure illustrated by Von Schroeder, Tibetan Bronzes, pl. 521, no. 146F.

(US$50,000-55,000)