北魏 鎏金銅佛坐像

finely case as Sakyamuni Buddha seated on a high plinth resting on four splayed legs, against a flame-shaped mandorla cast in relief with three dhyani figures, framing the head of the seated Buddha, the mandorla densely decorated with swirls of ferocious flames along the edges and encircling each small Buddha, the splayed sides and reverse of the plinth with traces of a dedicatory inscription, with indistinct characters muni, indicating for Sakyamuni, the reverse of the mandorla undecorated, wood stand

松原三郎，《增訂中国佛教彫刻史論》，東京，1966年，圖版37c

The figure is in good overall condition, and the gilding is very well preserved, with just small areas of rubbing. There are small chips and bruises to the edge of the mandorla, and other minor surface wear. There is malachite-green oxidisation to the surface, with insignificant loss of detail in places. The inscription on the plinth has faded in places and become indistinct.
"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."

釋迦牟尼佛坐像，姿態沉靜自然，焰形背光，線條流暢有力，面容衣袍描寫自然，垂墜衣褶若顯犍陀羅雕塑可見之希臘式風格，亦現印度藝術對於北魏佛教雕塑之強烈影響。

罕見如此尺寸及題材之鎏金銅坐像，可相比較東京書道博物館藏一件鎏金銅佛坐像，背光內圈三佛，載於水野清一，《中国の彫刻：石佛．金銅佛》，東京，1960年，圖版107A，此像銘文紀年太和十三年（公元489年）與此件拍品之形制、主尊、背光、面容與袍服之描寫，均極為相似，由此推斷，此件坐像亦應造於太和年間。參考另一件主尊相似坐像，紀年太和二十二年（公元498年），展於《特別展示六朝時代の金銅佛》，和泉市久保惣記念美術館，大阪，1991年，編號62，後售於紐約佳士得2013年9月19/20日，編號1460。

另比較一件近類如來佛立像，五方佛背光，紀年北魏皇興五年（公元471年）曾展出於《中國古代雕刻展》，日本橋高島屋，東京，1959年，編號C.7，2011年9月14日售於紐約蘇富比，編號315。