Page 399 - Chinese Works of Art Chritie's Mar. 22-23 2018

(detail of base)

One of the defning features of the three massive gilt-lacquered Buddhas Buddha on his left. During the mid-18th century, Qianlong became obsessed
in the Zongyin Hall is the ornate faming aureole behind each Buddha. The with the concept of the Three Buddhas of the Ages, and among other things,
examples in the Zongyin Hall have large, separately carved fgures of Garuda ordered kesi tapestries depicting the theme as a gift to the Seventh Dalai
at the top of the aureole, very similar to an example sold at Christie’s New Lama. According to Patricia Berger, elucidated in Empire of Emptiness:
York, 13 September 2011, lot 376. The afinity between the present work and Buddhist Art and Political Authority in Qing China, United Kingdom, 2003, p.
the massive gilt-lacquer Buddhas at the Zongyin Hall is striking. While the 43, the Three Buddhas of the Ages was a visual rebus that subtly illustrated
present work appears to date even earlier than 1766, with stylistic qualities Qianlong’s political and religious magnifcence. Although it cannot be
characteristic of the Kangxi period, the composition and style of the present authoritatively ascertained, the similarity of the present work to the three
sculpture must have partially inspired the larger Pule Si examples. Buddhas at the Pule Si would make it possible that it represents Shakyamuni
Buddha and was once accompanied by corresponding fgures of Dipankara
It is highly likely the three massive Buddhas at the Zongyindian at Pule and Maitreya Buddhas. A gilt-lacquered wood fgure of Avalokiteshvara
Si represent the Three Buddhas of the Ages: Shakyamuni at center with enthroned, similar to the present fgure, was sold at Sotheby’s New York, 14
Dipankara, the Buddha of the Past at his right and Maitreya, the Future September 2011, lot 324.

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