This impressive image of the Buddha dates to the mid-to-late 12th century or slightly earlier. His hands are held in the teaching position in which he is depicted explaining the most profound Buddhist teachings. His delicately striated monastic robes are impeccably uniform in their style, adding considerably to the beauty of the image. The image still retains traces of blue painted hair which may or may not be original. One end of his robe is shown being held delicately in the fingers of his left hand.
From the style of the image's face it is quite possible that this image was among those made by the first or second generation of Western Tibetan artisans who 'inherited' the Kashmiri style of image making and its facial features including its pursed lips are sometimes noted in other earlier pieces from western Tibet.
十二世紀中晚期 西藏銅鎏金釋迦牟尼佛坐像
此尊釋迦牟尼佛像氣勢莊嚴，年代可追溯至十二世紀中晚期，甚或略早。佛陀雙手於胸前結說法印（Dharmachakra Mudra），象徵初轉法輪、宣說甚深佛法之神聖時刻。整體造型比例和諧，神態寧靜祥和，流露出深厚的宗教感染力。
佛身所著袈裟以細密流暢的陰刻衣紋表現，褶紋排列工整勻稱，展現出卓越的鑄造工藝與高度成熟的藝術表現。衣紋線條纖細而富有節奏感，不僅增添造像的莊嚴氣質，亦進一步提升整體的視覺美感。佛陀左手指尖輕巧地提起袈裟一角，此一細節刻畫尤為生動自然，充分展現工匠對人物神態與衣飾動態的細膩掌握。
佛首尚可見藍色彩繪髮髻殘留痕跡，其是否為原始彩繪尚有待進一步考證，然而此類藍彩裝飾於早期西藏及喜馬拉雅地區佛教造像中並不罕見。
由其面部造型觀察，本像極有可能出自西藏西部早期本地工匠之手，屬於承襲克什米爾藝術傳統的第一代或第二代造像作品。十一至十二世紀期間，大批克什米爾工匠及其藝術風格傳入西藏西部地區，對當地佛教造像藝術的發展影響深遠。本像面部輪廓柔和而立體，雙唇微抿，流露出含蓄內斂的神采，這些特徵均可見於若干較早期的西藏西部造像之中。
本像不僅體現了克什米爾藝術傳統向藏地傳播與本土化發展的重要歷程，更展現出十二世紀西藏西部佛教造像融合外來藝術影響與本地審美特色的成熟風格。其精湛工藝、優美比例及深厚的宗教內涵，使其成為研究早期藏地佛教藝術與跨區域文化交流的重要實例。
32.5cm high
Estimate $6,000 - $8,000
Overall in good condition, areas wear to gilt, which are all consistent with age and use.
The opinions expressed in the condition reports are a guide only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek further information or request additional images during our pre-sale period where Leonard Joel staff are available for advice. Please note condition reports can be amended during the pre-sale period, so we strongly suggest any interested bidders check the published condition report available on the website before the auction commences. Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.
An important private collection of Himalayan Art, NSW.
Important Chinese & Asian Art
AUCTION
Sale: LJ8825
11:00am - 25 October 2026
Hawthorn
VIEWING
Thurs 22 - Sat 24 October, 11am - 5pm
2 Oxley Rd, Hawthorn VIC
CONTACT
Luke Guan
luke.guan@leonardjoel.com.au
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