隋至唐初 鎏金銅觀世音菩薩立像

sensitively modelled standing in tribhanga with the right hip gently thrust to the side on an octagonal lotus base, adorned in a dhoti belted at the waist and cascading in folds revealing the toes, the upper torso left bare and adorned with long ropes of beaded jewellery draping over the body, the right elbow rendered bent with the right hand holding a lotus bud, the left hand holding one side of the scarf flanking the figure, the back of the head with a small loop attached with an openwork flame-shaped mandorla enclosing a delicate beaded centre, framing the serene expression and ornate headdress, wood stand

佐藤玄々（1888-1963年）收藏

松原三郎，《增訂中国佛教彫刻史研究》，東京，1966年，圖版221a及b

The figure is in good overall condition, and the gilding is very well preserved, with just small areas of rubbing. There are minor dents and bruises to the fragile extremities, and other minor surface wear. There is some malachite-green oxidisation to the surface, especially the reverse of the mandorla. The mandorla is separately cast and possibly associated.
"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."

此件菩薩立像展現隋唐之間雕塑風格的重大轉變，從原本簡潔形式化風格，更趨唐代圓潤自然地描寫肢體樣貌。紐約大都會博物館藏一件類似立像，鏤雕頭光，姿態未若此像柔軟，年代應較早，錄於Osvald Sirén，《Chinese Sculpture from the Fifth to the Fourteenth Century》，倫敦，1925年，圖版278。亦可比較新田舊藏著名隋代三佛像之觀世音菩薩，現為國立故宮博物院珍藏，展出於《金銅佛造像特展圖錄》，台北，1987年，圖版76，松原三郎曾於專著中細探此像，《中国佛敎彫刻史研究》，東京，1966年，圖版203a-b；日本細川家族之永青文庫藏另一像，出處同上，圖版224a、224c，造像細節與手部描寫與此像類同，並刊載於 Hugo Munsterberg，《Chinese Buddhist Bronzes》，東京，1967年，圖版50；參考一尊唐代十一面觀音立像，尺寸較大，現存上海博物館，載於《中國美術全集．雕塑編》，卷4，1989年，北京，圖版55。

此像受早期雕塑風格影響；比較一尊菩薩像，特徵相若，蓮座形式亦相近，刊於 Osvald Sirén，前述出處，圖版418B，出自日本 Takenouchi 舊藏，後入靜岡縣佐野美術館，並錄於松原三郎，前述出處，圖版，263、264。

參考哈佛藝術博物館藏一像，原為 Grenville Winthrop 舊藏，體態圓潤，線條優柔類同此像，載於 Ulrich von Schroeder，《Indo-Tibetan Bronzes》，香港，1981年，頁500，圖142A。此件立像面容與手部細膩逼真，與紐約大都會博物館藏一尊唐代佛坐像之說法印相似，前述出處，頁292，圖267A-B。

一件造型類同之大型觀世音菩薩像（38.7公分），售於紐約蘇富比2004年9月22日，編號15。