Lot 126
GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF AMITAYUS
MONGOLIA, ZANABAZAR SCHOOL
Fine Asian & Islamic Works of Art
Auction: 3 November 2023 from 09:00 GMT
Description
蒙古 扎納巴扎爾流派 銅鎏金無量壽佛座像
finely cast seated in padmasana on a raised double lotus throne, a large vase containing the elixir of longevity cradled in his hands in dhyana mudra, wearing a low dhoti detailed with incised hem, a scarf flowing fluidly through his broad shoulders, elaborate necklace adorned his chest, further with jewellery on wrists, arms, and calves, large earrings flanked the meditative face below a five-leaf flame-like crown, hair tied up in high coiffure topped with a large jewel, stream-like long locks emerging from back of the head cascading down and spilling onto the throne, the baseplate gilt and incised with a double-vajra
Dimensions
32cm high; 5001g
Provenance
Provenance: Formerly in a private English collection
Footnote
Note: Wearing a dignified expression and princely appearance, this Buddha of Infinite Life, seated on a stepped lotus base, resonates the artistic paradigms of the celebrated Mongolian Buddhist teacher and artist Jebstundampa Khutukhtu Zanabazar (1635-1723). The legacy of his sculptural style is recognisable by rich gilding and at times painted details on voluptuous portrayal of the female form, or, in this case, a masculine rendition of male form, shown through the powerful broad shoulders. The textile patterns, distinguished jewellery designs, smooth contours, sensitive modelling of the faces, fine arches of Amitayus' brows and his aquiline nose are also of his atelier. [1]
Two comparable gilt-bronze figures of Amitayus, 19th century, are in the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts, HAR. 50243 & 50306, note the former with similarity of the lotus base depicts wide petals placed on a high pedestal finished with a beaded rim together with vertical lines imitating the ridges of a lotus pod, and the latter with elaborate vase of longevity; Several other examples can be found in auctions, including one, 18th century, sold at Bonham's Hong Kong, 29 May 2022, lot 140; one sold at Christie's London, 15 May 2018, lot 167; and one at Christie's New York, 31 Mar 2005, lot 188.
[1] J. Casey, N. P. Ahuja, & D. Weldon, Devine Presence: Arts of India and the Himalayas, Barcelona: Casa Asia, 2003, pp. 168-171