明十六世紀 局部鎏金銅觀音菩薩坐像

cast seated in rajalilasana with the right arm resting on the raised right knee, the left hand resting beside the pendent left leg, wearing a dhoti tied on a bow at the waist and a shawl draped across the shoulders, elaborately incised with floral sprays and bordered by foliate scrolls, the bare chest adorned with a beaded necklace, the head turned slightly to the left, eyes downcast in a meditative expression, the face detailed with a beard, moustache and curly hair, all supported on a bronze rocky plinth with a bird and a vase on either side

The bronze has losses to the top section of the front right corner, possible loss of an aureole, minor casting flaws and nibbles to the edge of the base, and possible re-gilding to the seated figure. The base is open.
"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."

南海觀音菩薩半跏趺坐於普陀山上，神態祥瑞，端莊渾厚。Derek Gillman曾於其著文章〈A New Image in Chinese Buddhist Sculpture of the Tenth to Thirteenth Century〉，《Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society》，1982-1983年，卷47，頁37，指出此坐姿初見於十世紀，應啟蒙自斯里蘭卡菩薩像。

本品南海觀音以男相形像出現，而非一般頭戴頂冠之菩薩坐像，類例甚罕。例見《歷代金銅佛造像特展圖錄》，國立故宮博物院，台北，1996年，編號22。紐約蘇富比亦曾於1992年12月1日出售一例，編號195。第三例售於倫敦佳士得2003年11月11日，編號92。第四例見於紐約佳士得2004年9月21日，編號130。同可比較Otto Rose收藏一彌勒佛作例，售於倫敦蘇富比2007年5月16日，編號34。

參考宋代木雕作例，屬堪薩斯城Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art收藏，錄於《海外遺珍—佛像》，台北，1986年，圖版130。倫敦大英博物館另藏一例，曾展於《Buddhism. Art and Faith》，倫敦，1985年，編號296。