明永樂 鎏金銅彌勒菩薩坐像 《大明永樂年施》款

finely cast seated in vajraparyankasana with hands in dharmachakra mudra holding the stems of lotus flowers, both bent in towards the face, with the chilug, the emblem of the Buddha of the Future, supported by the blossom at his right shoulder, wearing bodhisattva jewellery including sumptuous crown, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, armbands, an embellished girdle and anklets, the beaded lotus pedetal engraved with a six-character reign mark

Doris Wiener 收藏，購於1971年
紐約蘇富比2007年9月21日，編號34

As visible in the catalogue photo, there are minor dents and bruises to the extremities, and overall loss of gilding. The base plate has been detached and re-affixed with adhesive. Extensive oxidisation, especially to the base plate. Minor scratches to the hands and to the back.
"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."

此尊未來佛彌勒菩薩造像，屬十五世紀前半期奉皇命所鑄金銅佛像之代表作，其風格受西藏藝術影響。有元一朝，蒙古統治者便與藏地佛教領袖關係緊密，遂其宗教活動依循藏式儀規。而後之十五世紀，明朝廷依舊與西藏喇嘛保持密切聯絡，且佛教器物、繪畫及雕塑常被作為贈禮互換， 遂漸有風格互通，於本品可窺一斑。

悠居「都率天宮」的彌勒菩薩，以太子裝扮之菩薩身形顯現於世間，面富慈悲，端凝下視，溫文微笑，寧穆靜美。祂以說法印握持龍華樹花莖，據稱千萬年後，祂將於婆娑世界此樹下傳遞佛法。其身右肩處花蔓頂端安置寶瓶，於此位置象徵彌勒菩薩未來將轉世成為婆羅門階級之地位（參見Christian Luczanits，Gandhara，《The Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan》，美因茲，2009年，頁250）。

近似類例，錄於 Ulrich von Schroeder，《Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet》，卷2，香港，2001年，圖版343F；另一例，屬 Tuyet Nguyet and Stephen Markbreiter 伉儷典藏，售於香港蘇富比2010年10月7日，編號2144。相類永樂時期裝飾華貴的彌勒菩薩像，其一見於 Aschmann 雅藏，刊於 Ulrich von Schroeder，《Indo-Tibetan Bronzes》，香港，1981年，圖版147E；另一例載於《金銅佛造像圖錄》，鴻禧美術館，台北，1993年，編號22。

具有異域色彩之龍華樹由雕像肩膀花蔓莖梗向下垂落，由此可辨彌勒菩薩身份，其形態全然有別於永樂時期其他造像之蓮花或植物枝葉結構。