明永樂 鎏金銅金剛總持坐像 《大明永樂年施》款

seated in vajraparyankasana, with both hands crossed in prajnalinganabhinayamudra clasping avajra and ghanta, wearing an eight leaf crown enclosing the high scrolling chignon set with acintamani finial, the meditative face with crisply cast features, framed by large wheel-shaped earrings, wearing extravagant beaded jewellery and belt, a dhoti and a scarf draped across the shoulders and off the arms, supported by a double lotus pedestal inscribed Da Ming Yongle nian shi, the base engraved with a visvavajra

Speelman 收藏
香港蘇富比2006年10月7日，編號811

The piece is in excellent condition with only very minor occasional traces of wear to the original gilding on the extremities. The base plate is intact.
"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."

金剛總持被視為佛陀「智慧」的擬像化，祂是坦特羅密續的總上師，故稱秘密主。金剛總持乃諸佛之始 — 本初佛，與薩迦傳承噶瑪噶舉傳承之教義有關。此二個西藏教派對明成祖永樂朝廷的影響甚為深遠。本雕塑可能是皇室贈予重要上師之品。依據官方文獻記錄，如宮廷日誌《西藏史料》，顯示當時宮廷曾贈甚多賀禮予喇嘛及喇嘛們在首都與西藏地區興建的寺廟。依據《西藏史料》條目的文字，顯示永樂皇帝於藏歷第七饒迴火豬年（1407）四月八日觀想其精神師第五世噶瑪巴，即噶瑪噶舉教派的領袖得銀協巴。上寫：「成祖觀想…（得）的身形…閃耀如日…約一掌高…依觀想所得景象…給予（得）…」，見Heather Karmay，《Early Sino-Tibetan Art 》，1975年，頁77-8。西藏宗教領袖經常被觀想為本尊形象的化身，因此當皇帝觀想其上師，可能會以金剛總持的相狀顯現。金剛總持乃得銀協巴所屬噶舉傳承的精神總領袖，而本拍品就如同皇帝贈予的鎏金銅像一樣金壁輝煌，佛光披身。文獻記錄類似的永樂金剛總持鎏金佛共四例存世，目前保存於西藏寺廟，見Von Schroeder, 《Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet》，卷 1： India & Nepal，2001年，頁1250-1，圖版343A及343E。