A PARCEL-GILT SILVER GAU WITH MAHOTTARA HERUKACONTAINING AN IVORY FIGURE OF SHADBHUJA MAHAKALA


TIBET, 17TH/18TH CENTURYHimalayan Art Resources item no.61792 Figure: 6.7 cm (2 5/8 in.); Gau: 8 cm (3 1/4 in.) high
|A superior example among portable shrines made in Tibet, this silver gau contains a contrasting ivory figure of Shadbhuja Mahakala of incredible quality. The master craftsman spared no effort in carving the intricate details of this small piece of ivory, such as the remarkably detailed rendition of the deity's wrathful face and flowing locks of flaming hair. In addition, his skull mala is carefully detailed with each skull bead depicting a miniature face.   In like manner, the cover of the silver box is cleverly designed as a supreme manifestation of Mahottara Heruka hammered in high relief. His entire appearance is executed with a level of detail comparable to sculptures of much larger size - from the tiny hand of the prostrate figure under the his foot, to the bared fangs and wavy fur of the tiger skin around his hips. To further enliven the protector, gilding is selectively applied to his frontal faces, ritual hammer, and snake garland. For another example of a portable silver shrine housing an ivory figure of Shadbhuja Mahakala, see Himalayan Art Resources item no.44325.   Published Meinrad Maria Grewenig and Eberhard Rist (eds), Buddha - 2000 Years of Buddhist Art: 232 Masterpieces, Völklingen, 2016, pp.508-11, no.227 & 228.   Exhibited Buddha - 2000 Years of Buddhist Art: 232 Masterpieces, Völklinger Hütte, Völklinger, Germany, 25 June 2016 - 5 March 2017. 象牙六臂大黑天像配銀質局部鎏金大殊勝赫魯迦嘎烏盒 西藏，十七/十八世紀 喜馬拉雅藝術資源網61792號 牙雕：高6.7釐米（2 5/8英吋）;嘎烏盒：高8釐米（3 1/4英吋）  1,000,000-1,500,000港元   本拍品為西藏嘎烏盒中之珍品，銀龕中配有精工細製的象牙六臂大黑天像。匠師以巧奪天工的技法呈現栩栩如生的憤怒相大黑天，像身雖小，但對其面部特徵和髮綹的處理細緻入微，連大黑天手持佛珠的骷髏頭都一一刻劃。銀質嘎烏盒同樣細緻精美，盒蓋上以錘揲技法呈現大殊勝赫魯迦浮雕。從主尊腳下所踏的人物手指，到赫魯迦的手掌、獠牙、腰間虎皮的斑紋，無一不精雕細琢，整體細節的精緻度可與大型造像相比。赫魯迦的部分面孔、萬寶棰、以及蛇環兼以鎏金襯托，更為其形象增添一抹生氣。另論一隻內藏象牙六臂大黑天的銀嘎烏盒，可參考喜瑪拉雅藝術資源網44325號。   著錄 Meinrad Maria Grewenig及Eberhard Rist，《Buddha - 2000 Years of Buddhist Art: 232 Masterpieces》，弗爾克林根，2016年，頁508-11，227及228號。 展覽 Buddha - 2000 Years of Buddhist Art: 232 Masterpieces，德國，弗爾克林根，2016年6月25日-2017年3月5日。