十五世紀或以前 西藏鎏金銅彌勒佛坐像

cast seated on a stepped rectangular base with a constricted band, the right arm bent with the hand held in varada mudra before the chest, the left lowered in bhumisparsa mudra with a water pot resting atop it, dressed in a robe draped over the left shoulder and gathering folds above the feet, the serene expression flanked by a pair of long pendulous earlobes and surmounted by tightly knotted hair and an ushnisha, with traces of engraved floral decoration on the edges of the robe, the base sealed and incised with a visvavajra

Polak Works of Art，歐洲藝術博覽會，馬斯特里赫特，2010年

The figure is in structurally good condition. As visible in the catalogue photo, there is extensive oxidisation to the surface and loss to the gilding. Minor casting imperfections and spacers.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

佛像正坐高臺，結賢王坐，左手下垂執一軍持，悉此尊乃彌勒佛。西藏彌勒佛像，一般多作雙腿下垂、一足踏蓮之狀，且手執軍持或佛塔，更能確定其為未來佛。例可參考 Ulrich von Schroeder，《Indo-Tibetan Bronzes》，香港，1981年，頁447，圖版121D。喀什米爾及尼泊爾早期佛銅像，雖結賢王坐，卻多缺法寶，一般相信應為釋迦牟尼佛，而非彌勒佛。中世紀東印度則沒有此類造像。中原早期賢王坐佛像，也不見手持寶物，定為佛陀。西藏或乃唯一以雅坐高臺、結垂足賢王坐形態表現未來佛者。西藏彌勒佛像，大多頭戴頂冠、身綴瓔珞，雙手結轉法輪印，以示其以菩薩之身，於兜率天為諸神說法。此尊卻改以佛相，不見菩薩之飾，殊為罕稀。

鎏金有損、表面受蝕，卻無傷佛像雍雅。其比例均宜，衣摺流麗，袈裟沿邊細刻幾何花卉，觀其風，可斷為約十五世紀。對比十五或十六世紀彌勒佛像，衣沿有相類花卉與幾何圖案之組合，身戴菩薩專屬之瓔珞，乃 Berti Aschmann 所蓄，詳見 Helmut Uhlig，《On the Path to Enlightenment》，蘇黎世，1995年，頁84，圖版39。

西藏尚存相類銅彌勒佛坐像，雅魯河流域昌珠寺藏例，其袈裟沿邊刻紋與此相近，圖見Ulrich von Schroeder，《西藏佛教雕塑》，香港，2001年，卷2，頁1146，圖版300A（圖一），作者在書中指，其應為十二或十三世紀西藏寺院時期之物，同書且載一拉薩布達拉宮藏唐代銅彌勒菩薩坐像，造型與此相近類，見頁1232，圖版341A（圖二）。