清乾隆 帕拉式青銅錯金銀無量壽佛坐像

cast seated in dhyanasana on a lotus throne with beaded edges with hands held in dhyanamudra supporting a kalasha, the face with a serene expression adorned with an urna on the forehead, the hair neatly tied into a knotted jatamukuta behind a five-leaf crown with tresses of hair falling to the shoulders, adorned with ornamental jewellery, including earrings, beaded necklaces, bracelets, armbands and anklets, dressed in a loose garment gathered at the waist with drapery on the base, the garment inlaid in gilt and silver with floral motifs, all supported on a reticulated trapezoidal base, backed by an elaborately cast mandorla detailed with religious motifs and leafy clusters

Overall good condition, with expected oxidisation, loss to hardstone inlays, minor dents and bruises to fragile exteriors. Insignificant crack to the reverse of the figure.
"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."

The early Qing dynasty saw a proliferation of the production of Buddhist bronzes cast in the style of earlier examples from the holdings of the court collection. With access to the original sculptures, the craftsmen were able to produce close emulations, such as a Pala-period bronze sculpture of Red Tara illustrated by Wang Jiapeng, Buddhist Art from Rehol. Tibetan Buddhist Images and Ritual Objects from the Qing Dynasty Summer Palace at Chengde, Taipei, 1999, p. 141, pl. 57.

The current example is closely related to another copper alloy figure of Amitayus in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Buddhist Statues of Tibet, Hong Kong, 2008, p. 222, pl. 211 (fig. 1). Marginally taller (24.5 cm), the Palace Museum figure, assigned to the Hongwu reign, shares the same iconography, detailed gold inlaid decoration on the robes and complex openwork mandorla, differing from the current example in the texture of its rich malachite encrustation and in the presence of the incised mark at the reverse of the pedestal reading Hongwu nian jing shi ('Respectfully bestowed in the Hongwu reign'). A closely related example of a Pala Revival figure sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28th October 2002, lot 881.