9th Mar, 2023 13:00

TWO-DAY AUCTION - Fine Chinese Art / 中國藝術集珍 / Buddhism & Hinduism

 
  Lot 161
 

161

AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AND SIGNED GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF BUDDHA, EARLY MING DYNASTY
明初鎏金銅釋迦牟尼坐蓮像

Sold for €39,000

including Buyer's Premium


Lot details

Published: Svenska Hem i Ord och Bilder (Swedish Home in Words and Pictures), Stockholm, 1922, page 109. Note that this information is according to the family of the previous owner, as the present lot cannot be identified beyond any doubt on the ancient image in the publication.

China, early 15th century. Finely cast, seated in dhyanasana on a double-lotus base with beaded edges, his hands lowered in dhyanamudra above his lap, wearing a richly pleated robe with neatly incised foliate hems. The serene face with heavy-lidded eyes, gently arched brows, a circular urna, and full lips forming a calm smile, flanked by long pendulous earlobes. The hair arranged in tight snail-shell curls, the high ushnisha surmounted by a jewel. Magnificent, naturally grown patina overall.

Inscriptions: Signature to the back, ‘Made by the lay follower Guo with the maiden name Huiming’.

Provenance: From the collection of Inez Utter (née Bonnier, 1890-1968) and Tore Utter (1880-1953), and thence by descent within the same family.
Condition:
Excellent condition commensurate with age, with well-preserved gilt, some old wear and expected casting flaws, including one to the back of the head with an associated small loss. The base resealed with ancient remnants of soldering, otherwise absolutely original with no restoration or repair of any kind. Presenting exceptionally well.

Weight: 2,841 g
Dimensions: Height 27.5 cm

This exquisite figure is notable for its fine casting and gilding, as evidenced in the naturalistically modeled folds of the robes and in the figure’s serene facial expression. Stylistically it follows in the tradition established in the Yuan period, when Tibetan Buddhism became the court religion, and a new sculptural style began to appear. The full, yet somewhat squared facial features, robust body and stylization of the boldly cast lotus lappet base all indicate a rather early 15th-century date.

Expert’s note: Figures with gently smiling faces, full rounded bodies and tiered thrones are depicted in the early 14th-century woodblock prints made for the monastery of Yanshen Yuan, Hangzhou, and illustrated in Heather Stoddard Karmay, Early Sino-Tibetan Art, Warminster, 1975, pls. 26, 29, and 30. It is possible that these images, which reflect the style favored in Tibet at the time, were used for inspiration by craftsmen active in the early 15th century.

Literature comparison:
Compare a related gilt-bronze figure of Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, dated to the first year of the Jingtai reign (1450), illustrated in Gems of Beijing Cultural Relics Series: Buddhist Statues (I), Beijing, 1999, page 153, no. 115.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s London, 8 November 2017, lot 67
Price: GBP 187,500 or approx. EUR 258,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt-bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, Ming dynasty, early 15th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of casting, pose, robe, face, base, and size (27 cm). Note that this bronze is also signed. Note that the gilt is even better preserved than on the present lot.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s Amsterdam, 23 March 2011, lot 161
Price: EUR 133,000 or approx. EUR 179,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Chinese Ming period gilt bronze figure of Buddha Shakyamuni, indistinct mark, 15th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of casting, pose, robe, face, base, and size (27 cm). Note this bronze is also marked. Also note that the gilt is not as well preserved as on the present lot.



明初鎏金銅釋迦牟尼坐蓮像
中國,十五世紀初。釋迦牟尼坐於仰覆蓮座上,結全跏趺坐,雙手施禪定印。肉髻高隆呈塔形,螺髮,寶珠頂嚴。寬額豐頤,雙耳垂肩,彎眉細長與鼻脛相連,雙眉之間有白毫,雙目微合下視,嘴角微露笑意,法相莊嚴。頸施三道弦紋,胸膛寬闊,腰部收束,著袈裟,陰刻卷草紋。衣紋轉折流暢自然,富有層次感。蓮座上緣各飾一道連珠紋。座下封底。通體自然包漿。

出版Svenska Hem i Ord och Bilder (Swedish Home in Words and Pictures),斯特哥爾摩,1922年, 第109頁。請注意,此信息是根據前任藏家的家人提供的,無法根據出版物中的圖片確認當前拍品。

款識:信女郭氏惠名造

來源:Inez Utter (née Bonnier,1890-1968) 與 Tore Utter (1880-1953)收藏,在同一家族中保存至今。
品相:
狀態極佳,鎏金保存完好,有一些磨損和鑄造缺陷,包括頭部後面的一個缺陷以及相關的小缺損。底座曾重新密封,沒有任何形式的修復或修理。

重量:2,841 克
尺寸:高27.5 厘米

這尊精美的造像鑄造精美,鎏金華麗,長袍的自然褶皺和人物祥和的面部表情中可見一斑。在風格上,它沿襲了元代傳統。藏傳佛教成為宮廷宗教時,一種新的風格就開始出現。 面部飽滿但方正、健壯的身體和蓮花底座的風格都表明它的年代應早於十五世紀。

文獻比較:
比較一件相近的1450年明景泰元年銅鎏金藥師佛像,見《Gems of Beijing Cultural Relics Series: Buddhist Statues (I)》,北京,1999年,頁153,編號115。

拍賣結果比較:
形制:非常相近
拍賣:倫敦蘇富比,2017年11月8日,lot 67
價格:GBP 187,500(相當於今日EUR 258,000
描述:明十五世紀初鎏金銅釋迦牟尼佛坐像 《錢塘陳彥清造》款
專家評論:比較非常相近的鑄造風格、姿勢、長袍、面部、底座和尺寸 (27 厘米)。請注意此銅像也有款識。請注意此像地鎏金較完整。

拍賣結果比較:
形制:非常相近
拍賣:阿姆斯特丹佳士得,2011年3月23日,lot 161
價格:EUR 133,000(相當於今日EUR 179,000
描述:十五世紀明代銅鎏金釋迦牟尼像
專家評論:比較非常相近的鑄造風格、姿勢、長袍、面部、底座和尺寸 (27 厘米). 請注意此像也有款識。請注意此像鎏金沒有我們的拍品完整。

 

Published: Svenska Hem i Ord och Bilder (Swedish Home in Words and Pictures), Stockholm, 1922, page 109. Note that this information is according to the family of the previous owner, as the present lot cannot be identified beyond any doubt on the ancient image in the publication.

China, early 15th century. Finely cast, seated in dhyanasana on a double-lotus base with beaded edges, his hands lowered in dhyanamudra above his lap, wearing a richly pleated robe with neatly incised foliate hems. The serene face with heavy-lidded eyes, gently arched brows, a circular urna, and full lips forming a calm smile, flanked by long pendulous earlobes. The hair arranged in tight snail-shell curls, the high ushnisha surmounted by a jewel. Magnificent, naturally grown patina overall.

Inscriptions: Signature to the back, ‘Made by the lay follower Guo with the maiden name Huiming’.

Provenance: From the collection of Inez Utter (née Bonnier, 1890-1968) and Tore Utter (1880-1953), and thence by descent within the same family.
Condition:
Excellent condition commensurate with age, with well-preserved gilt, some old wear and expected casting flaws, including one to the back of the head with an associated small loss. The base resealed with ancient remnants of soldering, otherwise absolutely original with no restoration or repair of any kind. Presenting exceptionally well.

Weight: 2,841 g
Dimensions: Height 27.5 cm

This exquisite figure is notable for its fine casting and gilding, as evidenced in the naturalistically modeled folds of the robes and in the figure’s serene facial expression. Stylistically it follows in the tradition established in the Yuan period, when Tibetan Buddhism became the court religion, and a new sculptural style began to appear. The full, yet somewhat squared facial features, robust body and stylization of the boldly cast lotus lappet base all indicate a rather early 15th-century date.

Expert’s note: Figures with gently smiling faces, full rounded bodies and tiered thrones are depicted in the early 14th-century woodblock prints made for the monastery of Yanshen Yuan, Hangzhou, and illustrated in Heather Stoddard Karmay, Early Sino-Tibetan Art, Warminster, 1975, pls. 26, 29, and 30. It is possible that these images, which reflect the style favored in Tibet at the time, were used for inspiration by craftsmen active in the early 15th century.

Literature comparison:
Compare a related gilt-bronze figure of Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, dated to the first year of the Jingtai reign (1450), illustrated in Gems of Beijing Cultural Relics Series: Buddhist Statues (I), Beijing, 1999, page 153, no. 115.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s London, 8 November 2017, lot 67
Price: GBP 187,500 or approx. EUR 258,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt-bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, Ming dynasty, early 15th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of casting, pose, robe, face, base, and size (27 cm). Note that this bronze is also signed. Note that the gilt is even better preserved than on the present lot.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s Amsterdam, 23 March 2011, lot 161
Price: EUR 133,000 or approx. EUR 179,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Chinese Ming period gilt bronze figure of Buddha Shakyamuni, indistinct mark, 15th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of casting, pose, robe, face, base, and size (27 cm). Note this bronze is also marked. Also note that the gilt is not as well preserved as on the present lot.



明初鎏金銅釋迦牟尼坐蓮像
中國,十五世紀初。釋迦牟尼坐於仰覆蓮座上,結全跏趺坐,雙手施禪定印。肉髻高隆呈塔形,螺髮,寶珠頂嚴。寬額豐頤,雙耳垂肩,彎眉細長與鼻脛相連,雙眉之間有白毫,雙目微合下視,嘴角微露笑意,法相莊嚴。頸施三道弦紋,胸膛寬闊,腰部收束,著袈裟,陰刻卷草紋。衣紋轉折流暢自然,富有層次感。蓮座上緣各飾一道連珠紋。座下封底。通體自然包漿。

出版Svenska Hem i Ord och Bilder (Swedish Home in Words and Pictures),斯特哥爾摩,1922年, 第109頁。請注意,此信息是根據前任藏家的家人提供的,無法根據出版物中的圖片確認當前拍品。

款識:信女郭氏惠名造

來源:Inez Utter (née Bonnier,1890-1968) 與 Tore Utter (1880-1953)收藏,在同一家族中保存至今。
品相:
狀態極佳,鎏金保存完好,有一些磨損和鑄造缺陷,包括頭部後面的一個缺陷以及相關的小缺損。底座曾重新密封,沒有任何形式的修復或修理。

重量:2,841 克
尺寸:高27.5 厘米

這尊精美的造像鑄造精美,鎏金華麗,長袍的自然褶皺和人物祥和的面部表情中可見一斑。在風格上,它沿襲了元代傳統。藏傳佛教成為宮廷宗教時,一種新的風格就開始出現。 面部飽滿但方正、健壯的身體和蓮花底座的風格都表明它的年代應早於十五世紀。

文獻比較:
比較一件相近的1450年明景泰元年銅鎏金藥師佛像,見《Gems of Beijing Cultural Relics Series: Buddhist Statues (I)》,北京,1999年,頁153,編號115。

拍賣結果比較:
形制:非常相近
拍賣:倫敦蘇富比,2017年11月8日,lot 67
價格:GBP 187,500(相當於今日EUR 258,000
描述:明十五世紀初鎏金銅釋迦牟尼佛坐像 《錢塘陳彥清造》款
專家評論:比較非常相近的鑄造風格、姿勢、長袍、面部、底座和尺寸 (27 厘米)。請注意此銅像也有款識。請注意此像地鎏金較完整。

拍賣結果比較:
形制:非常相近
拍賣:阿姆斯特丹佳士得,2011年3月23日,lot 161
價格:EUR 133,000(相當於今日EUR 179,000
描述:十五世紀明代銅鎏金釋迦牟尼像
專家評論:比較非常相近的鑄造風格、姿勢、長袍、面部、底座和尺寸 (27 厘米). 請注意此像也有款識。請注意此像鎏金沒有我們的拍品完整。

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