Lot 18
  • 18

AN IMPERIAL GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF AMITAYUS QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

Estimate
200,000 - 300,000 GBP
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Description

  • gilt bronze inlaid with red coral, turquoise and lapis lazuli
seated in dhyanasana on a high double-lotus pedestal base, with hands folded in dhyanamudra, 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 and coral, the face with benevolent expression surmounted by an elaborate five-point diadem surrounding a high chignon, engraved to the underside hem with the characters reading qishisi (seventy-four)

Provenance

Acquired by the father of the present owner in China in the 1960s.

Condition

The figure is in very good condition with the exception of the top of ushnisha which is missing. There is minor loss to the coral and turquoise inlay (one piece missing from the ankle bracelet, seven from the crown, four from the earrings, two from the arm bracelet), the long life vase is missing and there is light rubbing to the gilded decoration including to the base of the feet, the waist, the top of the hands and to the face. The base is open.
"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."

Catalogue Note

This figure of the Buddha Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life, is remarkable for its size and impressive weight. Cast from a mould comprising several sections, its surface is entirely covered in a rich fire-gilding. Furthermore, the figure’s face, torso, arms and legs are enhanced with red and gold lacquer gilding softly worn in places, while inlays of semi-precious stones add splashes of colour. Such portrayals are characteristic of imagery from Tibet. The Buddha Amitayus, associated with the rites that ensure long life, is especially worshipped by Tibetans, who believe that life can be extended through long lineages, faith and compassion. It is also believed that one can achieve self-enlightenment and cater to the welfare of other with the help of Amitayus.

 

Commissioned by the Kangxi Emperor (1662-1722), this figure was possibly created as a gift for his grandmother who was a devout Buddhist. Figures of this type are known to have been made in 1686 in the Imperial foundry, cast on the orders of the Kangxi emperor for his grandmother’s birthday in 1686; see one illustrated in Cultural Relics of Tibetan Buddhism Collected in the Qing Palace, Hong Kong, 1992, pls 1-2; and another published in Ulrich von Schroeder, Indo-Tibetan Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1981, p. 152, pls 152A and 152B, where it is noted that these figures were originally part of one and the same group, which may have comprised as many as 108 examples.

 

Several related figures of the Buddha Amitayus have been sold at auction; two were sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 5th October 2011, lot 1983, and, 9th October 2007, lot 1547; three were sold in these rooms, the first, 10th November 2010, lot 233, the second, 9th November 2011, lot 187, and the third, 16th May 2012, lot 218; and a further example was sold in our Paris rooms, 9th June 2010, lot 161.

 

Gilt-bronze figures of Buddha Amitayus continued to be made in a similar style under the Qianlong Emperor; see one sold in our New York rooms, 22nd September 2005, lot 50.