宋 木雕菩薩坐像

well carved seated regally in vajrasana, the Bodhisattva rendered serene in meditation with the right hand held before the chest in shunimudra and the left avakashamudra, depicted dressed in layered robes and billowing sashes cascading in folds especially around the slender waist, the clothing falling loosely around the chest and exposing the elaborately carved necklaces echoing the partially exposed armbands, the serene facial expression detailed with half-open eyes and a gentle smile, framed by a pair of long, pendulous earlobes adorned with ornamental earrings and a neatly drawn-up topknot, traces of gilding, wood stand

As visible in the catalogue photo and as expected of a wood sculpture of this age and fragility, there are expected age cracks and shrinkage to the wood, with minor associated losses to the fragile extremities. However, structurally the statue has been preserved in unusually good condition with significant traces of the original pigmentation and gold paint preserved. There is an old indistinct dealer's label on the reverse of the sculpture, Raufast, an early 20th century Paris dealership.
"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."

菩薩像瓔珞華麗，髮絲描寫細膩，表面仍見礦彩與描金殘跡，過去供於佛寺時，應栩栩如真，耀眼輝煌，環飾佛教壁畫及神祉、羅漢造像，宛若舞台佈景般，強烈懾人。宋時造像經典首為木雕，於上敷泥加彩，時有鑲嵌珠珞、描金者，典雅富麗。現存宋代寺院，仍可見當時佛教藝術融合建築、繪畫與雕塑，神聖莊嚴。

菩薩乃得道之修行者，慈悲發心，度願眾生脫離苦難，此像身綴繁麗瓔珞，象徵菩薩入世渡人，佛目低垂，微微含笑，溫柔親和，右手舉起作耐心手印，中指謂空、責任及勇氣，拇指謂火與神界，兩指相觸，象徵耐心堅韌、洞察是非、恪守戒律。

此像屬早期造像風格，氣質空靈，超然世外，異於晚期柔美之氣。一尊略大木雕菩薩，交腳，2011年12月11日售於巴黎蘇富比，編號108；另一件，尺寸更大，衣裙富華，1980年4月15日售於倫敦蘇富比，編號63，展出於《雕塑別藏》，國立故宮博物院，台北，1997年，編號91，時為良盛堂珍藏，斷為金代。