Metamorphosis: Chinese Sculpture Through the Dynasties
幻化：中國歷代雕塑造像
This autumn, Hong Kong Bonhams proudly presents “Metamorphosis: Chinese Sculpture Through the Dynasties,” featuring over thirty religious figures and mythical beasts. Ranging from monumental to delicate, these works span from the Wei-Jin Northern Dynasties through the Ming-Qing periods, witnessing dynastic changes and cultural evolution.
香港邦瀚斯今秋隆重呈獻「幻化：中國歷代雕塑造像」專場，宗教人物、靈獸造像，共計三十餘尊。碩者恢宏，細者雅致，年代跨度甚廣，上至魏晉南北朝，下溯朱明滿清，見證朝代更迭、文化變遷。
The Metaphysics of Transformation
形而上的幻化
The title “Metamorphosis” invites contemplation on the evolution of form and imagery across ages. While sculpture inherently involves physical transformation of materials, the completion of each statue lies in its conveyed essence—a metaphysical transmutation.
專場取名「幻幻」，旨在啟學引思，嘗以不同角度，探討古往今來，形態與意象的演變。雕塑，本是物質外觀的改變，是形而下的轉換。然而一像之成，卻在其意象傳遞，當是形而上的幻化。
Artisans selected diverse materials—clay, wood, stone, bronze—employing miraculous skill to transform decaying wood into immortal icons, cold metal into compassionate Buddhist visages. Viewers, sharing common cultural beliefs and visual language, engage with these objects to contemplate cosmic spirits and enlightenment.
匠人選材施藝，泥、木、石、銅，五花百門。在鬼斧神工下，殆盡之木，化成不朽造像；冰冷之銅，展現慈暖佛相。觀者在雕塑前，依仗共通的文化與信念、相同的視覺語言，藉著實物加以想像，進而遙思天地萬靈，澄觀悟道。
Highlighted Masterpieces
精選傑作賞析
1. Northern Wei Limestone Buddha Head
一、北魏石灰岩雕佛首像
- Height: 36.8 cm
高度：36.8 厘米 - Estimate: HKD 2,600,000 – 3,600,000
估價：2,600,000 – 3,600,000 港元 - Provenance: Nagatani Inc (1967), J.T. Tai Collection, Sotheby’s NY 2011
來源：Nagatani Inc（1967年），戴潤齋，紐約蘇富比2011年
This massive Buddha head features crescent-moon eyebrows and a smiling mouth—once inspiring countless devotees with Buddhist compassion. From 1,500 years ago when the Tuoba clan unified northern China, promoting sinicization and Buddhism flourished through cave temples at Yungang and Longmen.
北魏石灰岩雕佛首，尺寸碩大，眉如月彎，口目含笑，昔日座前，不知多少信眾領悟佛法慈悲。一千五百年前，拓跋氏統一華北，推行漢化，佛教盛極一時，在雲岡、龍門開鑿洞窟。
2. Song Dynasty Wooden Bodhisattva Head
二、宋木雕菩薩首像
- Height: 64.5 cm
高度：64.5 厘米 - Estimate: HKD 2,200,000 – 3,200,000
估價：2,200,000 – 3,200,000 港元 - Provenance: French private collection (since 1920)
來源：法國私人收藏（1920年入藏）
Carved from wood, this Bodhisattva head displays an elaborate high chignon, full face, upward-slanting eyes with gleaming glass pupils—so lifelike it seems to breathe. Imagine devotees kneeling before the complete statue, sincerely praying and cultivating virtue.
宋代菩薩首像，則以木為材，頭梳高髻華麗，臉相豐腴，雙眼上挑微睜，目嵌料珠炯炯有神，栩栩如生。設想昔日在巨像的莊嚴雄偉下，信徒跪拜跟前，誠懇祈願，感念菩薩慈航普度。
3. 12th Century Dali Kingdom Gilt-Bronze Acuoye Guanyin
三、十二世紀雲南大理國漆金銅阿嵯耶觀音立像
- Height: 47 cm
高度：47 厘米 - Estimate: HKD 1,500,000 – 2,000,000
估價：1,500,000 – 2,000,000 港元 - Himalayan Art Resource: No. 16703
喜馬拉雅藝術資源網：16703號
This slender Guanyin wears thin gauze with graceful posture. Her compassionate expression and hand gestures (reassurance and wish-granting mudras) offer hope. “Acuoye” means “invincible” in Sanskrit—this form created by Indian monks for Nanzhao rulers became a protective deity continued by the Dali Kingdom.
觀音體態頎長，身穿薄紗，姿態秀美。佛相慈藺，眼神柔和，雙手施安慰和予願印，為眾生帶來如願以償的希望。阿嵯耶，梵文意為「無往不勝」，其觀音形像，乃印度高僧為雲南南詔統治家族所創。
4. Mid-Qing Gilt-Bronze White Tara
四、清中期局部鎏金銅白度母坐像
- Height: 55 cm
高度：55 厘米 - Estimate: HKD 1,200,000 – 2,500,000
估價：1,200,000 – 2,500,000 港元 - Provenance: French private collection
來源：法國私人收藏
As an emanation of Guanyin, Tara holds supreme status in Tibet and Nepal. The White Tara, with seven eyes (including one on her forehead viewing Buddha-lands), is called “Seven-Eye Buddha Mother.” This statue’s compassionate expression and elegant posture enhanced by gilding and inlay radiate solemn magnificence.
度母是觀世音菩薩的化身，在西藏和尼泊爾地位極其崇高。白度母因其臉、手、足心合有七眼，額上一目觀十萬無量佛土，其餘六目觀六道眾生，故亦稱「七眼佛母」。
Additional Selected Works
更多精選拍品
1. Tang Dynasty Marble Buddhist Assembly Fragment
一、唐大理石雕佛教法會圖殘石
- Height: 46 cm
高度：46 厘米 - Estimate: HKD 300,000 – 400,000
估價：300,000 – 400,000 港元
2. Tang Bronze Tomb Guardian
二、唐銅鎮墓獸
- Height: 13 cm
高度：13 厘米 - Estimate: HKD 120,000 – 150,000
估價：120,000 – 150,000 港元
3. Five Dynasties Limestone “Tiger Attacking Deer”
三、五代石灰岩透雕虎噬鹿像
- Height: 15 cm
高度：15 厘米 - Estimate: HKD 150,000 – 200,000
估價：150,000 – 200,000 港元
The artist seemingly froze a momentary scene—remaining powerfully compelling across millennia.
藝匠彷彿把時空瞬間凝住，荏苒千載，那份張力仍是如此澎湃懾人。
4. Five Dynasties-Song Bronze Openwork Seated Dragon
四、五代至宋銅鏤空坐龍
- Height: 8.5 cm
高度：8.5 厘米 - Estimate: HKD 200,000 – 300,000
估價：200,000 – 300,000 港元
Though mythical, this dragon’s raised brows, open mouth, curved tail, powerful limbs, and pearl-holding claws create a vividly majestic presence.
龍，雖是虛幻神獸，但其揚眉張嘴，曲尾、四肢肌肉線條帶勁有力，掌指之間，火珠在握，威風之勢，儼然如生。
Collecting Significance
收藏意義
These sculptures represent not merely artistic achievement but also spiritual bridges across time. They embody the continuous Chinese pursuit of expressing transcendental truths through material forms—a dialogue between earthly craftsmanship and divine inspiration.
這些雕塑不僅代表藝術成就，更是跨越時空的精神橋樑。它們體現了中國文化透過物質形式表達超越真理的持續追求——一場人間工藝與神聖靈感的對話。
From 幻化：中国历代雕塑造像
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