A FINE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF AMITAYUS QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

the figure seated on a high double lotus pedestal in dhyanasana, with hands clasped to the front, wearing a shawl and dhoti, the borders incised at the hems with lotus, its loose folds falling over his crossed-legs in undulous folds, with a billowing celestial scarf around his shoulders and arms, richly adorned with elaborate jewellery inlaid with turquoise, lapis lazuli, coral and agate, the face with benevolent expression surmounted by an elaborate five-point diadem surrounding a high chignon

This richly gilded figure is in very good overall condition with the exception of loss to both ends of the celestial scarf, around the shoulders and the lotus base, loss of the amrita bottle, losses to the ends of the foliate tiara behind his ears, loss of approximately eleven of the semi-precious stone inlays, and minor wear and scratching to gilding.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life, is the deity associated with the rites that ensure long life and is closely connected with Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light who is thought to preside over the Western Paradise (Sukavati). Amitayus is particularly worshipped in Tibetan Buddhism which holds that life can be extended through long lineages by faith and compassion. It is also believed that with the help of Amitayus one can achieve self-enlightenment and welfare for others.

The present finely cast and richly embellished figure was commissioned by the Kangxi emperor (r.1662-1722) as a gift, possibly for his grandmother who was a devout Buddhist or for the Tibetan hierarchy to be installed in one of the many Tibetan Buddhist temples in the capital. It belongs to a select group of Buddhist figures made in the Imperial foundry amongst which one, cast on the orders of the Kangxi emperor for his grandmother's birthday in 1686, is illustrated in Cultural Relics of Tibetan Buddhism Collected in the Qing Palace, Hong Kong, 1992, pls. 1-2. Another gilt-bronze figure from this group is published in Ullrich van Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1981, p. 152, pls. 152A and 152B, where the author notes that the application of semi-precious stones may indicate that images of this type were made for use by the Tibetans. Compare two further examples from this group included in Zhongguo zang quan fojiao diaosu quanji, vol. 2, Beijing, 2002, pls 208 and 209; several sold in our auction rooms, including two in Hong Kong, 10^th April 2006, lot 1804, and 9^th October 2007, lot 1547; one in Paris, 9^th June 2010, lot 161; two in these rooms, 10^th November 2010, lot 233, and 12^th May 1998, lot 518; and one sold at Christie's London, 13^th May 2008, lot 147.

Amitayus figures continued to be made in a similar style during the reign of Kangxi's grandson, the Qianlong emperor. It was during Qianlong's reign that the popularity and worship of Amitayus increased substantially due to the emperor's self-identification with this deity. For an example of a Qianlong figure of Amitayus see one sold in our New York rooms, 22^nd September 2005, lot 50.