Lot 81

There is an old restoration on the upper left arm, otherwise overall in a good condition.


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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.

A private old collection, Toorak, acquired from Hollywood Galleries, Hong Kong, 27 January, 1999, with an original certificate (No. 610).

This early image of the Buddha Shakyamuni is both balanced and pleasing. The bronze has adopted a rich colour over the centuries and is smooth to the touch.
To signify that the Buddha's achievement of the final state of meditation is absolutely unchangeable is confirmed by the placing of a small vajra at his ankles. The vajra is a symbol which signifies both unchangeability and absoluteness.
The sheen of the image's surface is most pleasing and suggests a great deal of handling - which is unusual for Tibetan images which are handled only rarely. The image's robes sit very snugly against the Buddha's body in the diaphanous style which became increasingly popular in India in the 5-6th cent C.E.
The image's base-plate appears to have remained untouched and possibly contains the image's original blessed items lending it an unhindered lineage of reverence for up to 600 years.
By Dr. David Templeman, Monash University, Melbourne

此尊早期釋迦牟尼佛造像，比例均衡，姿態悅目。青銅歷經數百年呈現深厚色澤，觸感光滑。
佛陀達至最終禪定境界的穩固不變，藉由其腳踝置放的小金剛杵得以象徵。金剛杵本身寓意「不變」與「絕對」。

造像表面光澤怡人，顯示曾被頻繁供奉把玩——這在西藏佛像中極為少見。佛衣緊貼身體，以透視式衣紋呈現，為五至六世紀印度流行之風格。
底座似乎保持原封未動，可能仍藏有原始聖物，使其長達六百年的供奉與加持延續無阻。

——墨爾本蒙納士大學
戴維‧坦普曼（David Templeman）教授