A SILVER INLAID GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGUREOF KING KUNZANG NYIDA DRAKPA (1514–1560)


TIBET, 16TH CENTURYInscribed in Tibet at the front of the base: [k]un bzang nyi zla gargs pa la na mo; In praise of Kunzang Nyi Da Dragpa Himalayan Art Resources item no.61737 15 cm (6 in.) high
|This enigmatic figure is depicted as a tantric master (siddha), seated on an antelope skin draped over the lotus platform. His beaded cross-body bands, and carefully arranged clothbound topknot embellished with skulls and beaded swags, further indicate his tantric practice and features shared with the famous master Tsang Nyong Heruka. The robe is deeply incised with especially bold floral elements that may suggest local Tibetan garb as opposed to more formal imported Chinese silks.   Based upon the inscription this portrait could represent King Kunzang Nyida Drakpa (1514–1560) who ascended the throne of Mangyul Gungthang in 1529. This ruler is known as a generous patron of Buddhism. He commissioned multiple sacred images and is mentioned in many printed books of the time. Of particular interest is the fact that Kunzang Nyida Drakpa sponsored a particular edition of the biography of Milarepa by Tsangnyon Heruka (gtsang smyon heruka) (1452–1507) which was prepared by the disciples of the latter at the Luminous Cave (od gsal phug). The present image could perhaps be the apotheosis of the donor as Tsangnyon Heruka or a token of gratitude and act of merit celebrating the king of Gung thang. We are grateful to Yannick Laurent for his assistance in researching this lot. Published Meinrad Maria Grewenig et al. (eds), Buddha - 2000 Years of Buddhist Art, Völklingen, Germany, 2017, p.418, no.182.   Exhibited Buddha - 2000 Years of Buddhist Art, Völklingen, Germany, 25 June 2016 -5 March 2017   Provenance Pantheon Worldwide Ltd, Hong Kong, 27 October 2011 Private European Collection 錯銀鎏金袞桑巴尼達紮巴國王（1514–1560）銅像西藏，十六世紀 底座前緣刻有藏文銘文：「袞桑巴尼達紮巴」。喜馬拉雅藝術資源網61737號高15釐米（6英吋）  800,000-1,200,000港元   此尊造像精妙入神，人物呈密宗大師（成就者）樣貌，坐在覆蓋蓮座的羚羊皮上。身上的珠帶以及骷髏及珠飾點綴的髮髻均表明其涉足於密宗修行。長袍上刻有深邃的花鬘紋，可能代表當地藏族服飾，而非進口中原絲綢。 此銘文見證造像可能描繪於1529年登基芒域貢堂的袞桑巴尼達紮巴國王（1514－1560年）。他極力支持佛教發展，除了贊助無數神聖形象的鑄造，他亦常被當時的文獻所提，足證影響。尤其觸目的一舉為贊助桑吉堅贊撰寫密勒日巴的生平，文獻都由後者的門弟於光明洞（od gsal phug）準備。此造像可見匠人以桑吉堅贊的形象昇華描繪袞桑巴尼達紮巴國王，以示感恩及專敬。僅此特別鳴謝Yannick Laurent協助研究此拍品。  著錄 Meinrad Maria Grewenig 等（編），《Buddha - 2000 Years of Buddhist Art》，弗爾克林根，2017年，頁418，編號182。 展覽 Buddha - 2000 Years of Buddhist Art ，弗爾克林根，2016年6月25日 - 2017年3月5日。   來源 Pantheon Worldwide Ltd，香港，2011年10月27日歐洲私人收藏