A RARE 'FAMILLE-ROSE' FIGURE OF AMITAYUS QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

seated in dhyanasana on a triangular waisted lotus base with hands held in dhyanamudra supporting a vase with a cintamani emblem, the face with serene expression, the hair enameled blue and partially falling over the shoulders, the rest swept into a high topknot and secured by an ornamental jewel worn behind the five-leaf diadem, the shoulders draped with a billowing shawl wrapped around the lower arms, the bare chest adorned with jeweled necklaces, the robe in pale blue, red and lime green enamels decorated with scrolling lotus and floral roundels, the detachable base enameled with tiers of lotus petals, with the tips of the scarf falling over the front, wood stand (4)

One of the lugs on the upper part of the base where the figure fixes on has been chipped away. There is minor flaking to the turquoise enamel and green enamels of the ribbons on the upper surface of the base where the figure sits. The vase has been reaffixed to the figure's hands and there are two small chips to the flames. The curled end sections of the headdress have both been broken and stuck back on. One of the sections of the headdress above the figure's righthand ear has been restored. Two of the dark blue jewels of the figure's necklace are partially chipped away. Otherwise, in good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Amitayus is always shown in dhyana mudra and with an amrita-kalasha, the vase of long life, filled with ambrosia, nectar pills which confer immortality. The flame emanating from the lotus at the rim of the vase refers to his emanation of the fire element, symbolized by the Buddha Amitabha. The Amitayus Buddha is invoked to cure illness and after death, the hope to be transported to the world of Amitabha who resides in the Western Paradise.

The adoration of brightly colored deities has a long tradition in Tibetan Buddhism and the wide color range available in the famille-rose palette made porcelain an ideal medium to create such Buddhist figures. Nevertheless, these figures remain extremely rare and it is likely that they were especially made on special commission.

It is rare to find these devotional figures with naturalistically toned flesh rather than gilt. There is an identically modeled and painted figure of slightly smaller size in the British Museum dated to the 18th century and donated to the museum in the 19th century by Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks (1826-1897).

A similar example but with gilt decoration was sold in our Paris rooms, 16th December 2010, lot 196.