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A CENTRAL TIBETAN BRONZE FIGURE OF YAMATAKA, 18TH CENTURY
The multi-headed six-armed Yamantaka is modelled in a striding stance upon a lotus base, with two of his hands crossed in front of his consort, holding a varja crescent and a skull cap. An elephant skin is draped around his back and his waist is tied with a chain of skulls.
"This is just one of the forms in which Yamantaka - 'Lord Slayer of Death' - is depicted. In this powerful and motion-filled image we see Yamantaka clasping his consort Yamari in sexual union. However as with all things in tantric imagery this is not a sexual depiction but a representation of how the perfect union between the female aspect of wisdom and the male aspect of power are perfectly unified in the state of Enlightenment. In achieving this state what we regard as 'death' is fully overcome.
The items held in the many hands are all symbols for the mental states needed to fulfill the practice and he tramples all manner of symbolic hindrances under his feet - including all manner of animal life and minor non-Buddhist gods.
The image is very active and must be imagined seen in a Tibetan temple under flickering butter-lamp light where his power might appear to come 'alive.' The image's base is sealed meaning it still possesses its original spiritual blessing and power." - Dr. David Templeman, Monash University, Melbourne
藏中 十八世紀 銅大威德明王及明妃立像
此像所示，僅為大威德明王（Yamantaka，意譯「降伏死主者」）諸多形態之一。於此動勢強烈、充滿力量的造像中，大威德明王與明妃耶摩里（Yamari）結合而立。然依密教圖像之義，這並非世俗意義上的性愛描繪，而是象徵智慧（女性面向）與力量（男性面向）於覺悟境界中圓滿合一。於此圓滿合一之境界中，所謂「死亡」亦被徹底超越。
其多臂所持之器，皆為修行圓滿所需心境之象徵；其雙足踐踏各種象徵性障礙，包括諸多動物形象及非佛教小神祇。此像氣勢動盪逼人，須想像其在西藏寺院中，於酥油燈忽明忽暗的光影下觀之，其神力幾乎彷彿栩栩欲生。造像底部仍為封合狀態，顯示其原始供養聖物仍然完好，並持續保有靈驗與加持力。
——墨爾本蒙納士大學
戴維‧坦普曼（David Templeman）教授
19.8cm high
Sold for $15,000
Lot 94
The multi-headed six-armed Yamantaka is modelled in a striding stance upon a lotus base, with two of his hands crossed in front of his consort, holding a varja crescent and a skull cap. An elephant skin is draped around his back and his waist is tied with a chain of skulls.
"This is just one of the forms in which Yamantaka - 'Lord Slayer of Death' - is depicted. In this powerful and motion-filled image we see Yamantaka clasping his consort Yamari in sexual union. However as with all things in tantric imagery this is not a sexual depiction but a representation of how the perfect union between the female aspect of wisdom and the male aspect of power are perfectly unified in the state of Enlightenment. In achieving this state what we regard as 'death' is fully overcome.
The items held in the many hands are all symbols for the mental states needed to fulfill the practice and he tramples all manner of symbolic hindrances under his feet - including all manner of animal life and minor non-Buddhist gods.
The image is very active and must be imagined seen in a Tibetan temple under flickering butter-lamp light where his power might appear to come 'alive.' The image's base is sealed meaning it still possesses its original spiritual blessing and power." - Dr. David Templeman, Monash University, Melbourne
藏中 十八世紀 銅大威德明王及明妃立像
此像所示，僅為大威德明王（Yamantaka，意譯「降伏死主者」）諸多形態之一。於此動勢強烈、充滿力量的造像中，大威德明王與明妃耶摩里（Yamari）結合而立。然依密教圖像之義，這並非世俗意義上的性愛描繪，而是象徵智慧（女性面向）與力量（男性面向）於覺悟境界中圓滿合一。於此圓滿合一之境界中，所謂「死亡」亦被徹底超越。
其多臂所持之器，皆為修行圓滿所需心境之象徵；其雙足踐踏各種象徵性障礙，包括諸多動物形象及非佛教小神祇。此像氣勢動盪逼人，須想像其在西藏寺院中，於酥油燈忽明忽暗的光影下觀之，其神力幾乎彷彿栩栩欲生。造像底部仍為封合狀態，顯示其原始供養聖物仍然完好，並持續保有靈驗與加持力。
——墨爾本蒙納士大學
戴維‧坦普曼（David Templeman）教授
19.8cm high
Estimate $8,000 - $12,000
Overall in good condition.
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