佛像鉴定鉴赏收藏

尺寸：高22.8cm
年代：14-15世纪
质地：铜鎏金
风格：尼泊尔 或 西藏
来源：拍卖会
成交：461,000美元(2015.03)
参阅：纽约邦瀚斯
鉴赏：
A gilt copper alloy figure of Vajradhara and Prajnaparamita
Nepal or Tibet, 14th/15th century
The Adi Buddha depicted in sexual union with his consort, both adorned with semi-precious gems inset sparingly over their richly gilded bodies and crowns.
9 in. (22.8 cm) high

14-15世纪西藏铜鎏金金刚总持及明妃般若佛母
古比特佛像网, 编号: 金刚总持:金刚总持133

From the 11th century onward, the New (Sarma) Schools identify Vajradhara as the primordial Buddha (Adi Buddha): the inner form of Shakyamuni, and progenitor of the Vajrayana Buddhist system. He occupies the first rank in the Buddhist pantheon, and typically features as the first teacher of a tantric lineage. From him emanate the five Dhyani Buddhas, the purification deity Vajrasattva, and meditation deities including Chakrasamvara.

He represents the highest state of enlightenment, its abstract perfection, the sum of all Buddhist teachings. Sculptures of Vajradhara therefore serve as secondary representations, reminding practitioners of the deity's otherwise formless essence, which is beyond human comprehension. The present sculpture portrays him in union with Prajnaparamita, considered to be mother of all Buddhas, thus enhancing the imagery of enlightenment expressed (and experienced) through the perfect union of male and female principles (compassion and wisdom, respectively).

He is shown rooted in the meditation posture, his toes relaxed and curling upwards while pressing against the inside of his broad thighs. He supports his consort with his resolute, arched posture. Her girdle deftly conceals her rear, clasped below the swath of her loose hair. Throughout, there is stillness and serenity in their embrace. Their faces reflect the highest harmony, touching noses, lips, and chins.

Originally, the sculpture would have been set on a separately cast base. Examples showing the shallow cushion-like apron below the legs can be found in Nepalese and Tibetan sculpture. Compare with a Tibetan Vajrasattva in the Al Farahnick Collection published in Beguin, Dieux et Démons de l'Himalaya, Paris, 1979, p.151, no. 148, and a Nepalese Vajradhara published in von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1981, p. 358, no. 95a.

For a very closely related example in the Jokhang, Lhasa, see von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures In Tibet, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 2001, pp. 1056-7, pls. 268E-F. Also, compare with an example in the Rubin Museum of Art sold at Sotheby's, New York, 25 March 1999, lot 103. Another is published in von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1981, p. 365, no. 98E. A later but closely related example of Sitasamvara is held in the Museum Rietberg; see Uhlig, On The Path to Enlightenment, Zurich, 1995, p. 167, no. 11.

Referenced:
HAR – himalayanart.org/image.cfm/41261.html

Published:
Franziska Rüttimann, ed., Liebeskunst: Liebeslust und Liebesleid in der Weltkunst, Museum Rietberg, Zurich, 2002, p. 129, no. 91.

Exhibited:
Liebeskunst: Liebeslust und Liebesleid in der Weltkunst, Museum Rietberg, Zurich, 2002-2003

Provenance:
Sotheby's, New York, 5 December 1992, lot 56
Private Collection of Ulrich von Schroeder
Private European Collection