A RARE BRONZE FIGURE OF KUNGA GYALTSEN (1182-1251), THE FOURTH FOUNDER OF THE SAKYA ORDER, TIBET, 15TH-16TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A RARE BRONZE FIGURE OF KUNGA GYALTSEN (1182-1251), THE FOURTH FOUNDER OF THE SAKYA ORDER, TIBET, 15TH-16TH CENTURY The back of the base is neatly incised with a Tibetan inscription: rje btsun kun dga’ rgyal mtshan la na mo – Homage to the venerable Kunga Gyaltsen. Expert’s note: The present lot is rare for its Buddha-like depiction of Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen, departing markedly from his conventional iconography. Jeff Watt observes that Sakya Pandita “can be depicted in non-iconic poses and portrayed depending on context and the wishes of the donor and artist” (see Himalayan Art Resources, “Teacher: Sakya Pandita, Kunga Gyaltsen,” updated May 2021). In the present figure, he is endowed with Buddha characteristics through the bhumisparsha mudra, the earth-touching gesture with which Shakyamuni called the earth to witness his victory over Mara and attainment of enlightenment. Through this gesture, the portrait presents the historical master in the image of Shakyamuni at the defining moment of his awakening. Well cast seated in dhyanasana upon a double-lotus base, the right hand lowered in bhumisparsha mudra and the left resting above the lap in dhyana mudra. He is clad in voluminous monastic robes arranged in overlapping layers across the torso and legs, the hems and broad borders finely incised with scrolling floral designs. The outer cloak falls heavily from the shoulders and is richly decorated across the reverse with elaborate foliate scrollwork centered by a stylized floral scrolls. The sensitively modeled face bears a serene expression, with downcast eyes beneath gently arched brows, a broad nose, and full lips forming a subtle smile. The shaven head is defined by a distinctive undulating hairline. Dimensions: Height 10 cm Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen Pal Zangpo (1182-1251), a spiritual ancestor of the Panchen Lama lineage in the Gelug order and a great Tibetan scholar whose name may be translated as “Banner of Universal Joy,” was the fourth of the Five Venerable Masters of the Sakya tradition and the sixth Sakya Trizin, or throne holder. Born into Tibet’s influential Khon family and initially trained by his uncle, Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen, he later received ordination from the celebrated Kashmiri scholar Shakyashribhadra. His mastery of Sanskrit, logic, epistemology, grammar, poetry, and Buddhist philosophy earned him the title Sakya Pandita, “the Pandit of Sakya.” His writings, including the Treasury of Valid Reasoning and the celebrated Sakya Lekshé, established him as one of Tibet’s formative intellectual figures, while his journey to the Mongol court during the 1240s opened a decisive chapter in Sakya-Mongol relations. To the Yuan Imperial Court he became Viceroy of Tibet in 1249. Literature comparison: Compare a related larger bronze figure of Kunga Gyaltsen, 19.5 cm high, dated 15th century, in the Museum der Kulturen, Basel, illustrated on Himalayan Art Resources, item number 3314025. Compare a related larger silver- and copper-inlaid bronze figure of Kunga Gyaltsen with an inscription to the base, 19.3 cm high, dated 15th-16th century, formerly in the collection of Onno Janssens, sold at Christie’s New York, 22 March 2011, lot 336 (for USD 374,500 or approx. EUR 486,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing), and illustrated on Himalayan Art Resources, item number 66791. This bronze also endows the lama with Buddha characteristics, namely the ushnisha. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 22 March 2011, lot 333 Price: USD 12,500 or approx. EUR 16,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling, manner of casting, and decoration with similar incision work. Note the closely related size (10.5 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 22 March 2011, lot 334 Price: USD 7,500 or approx. EUR 9,800 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and similar foliate incised decoration to the garments. Note the similar size (9.5 cm).

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