Page 76 - Sotheby's Speelman Collection Oct. 3, 2018

3415

A FINELY CAST GILT-BRONZE 清康熙

FIGURE OF AMITAYUS 鎏金銅嵌寶無量壽佛坐像
QING DYNASTY, KANGXI 《大清康熙十年十月五日初誠》

PERIOD 仿款

superbly cast, seated in vajraparyankasana on a double-
lotus base between a beaded upper edge and a floral band
encircling the foot, depicted with hands held in dhyanamudra
and supporting a bumpa, the deity skilfully portrayed with a
serene expression below an urna and framed by an elaborate
headdress and a pair of pendulous earlobes adorned with
ornamental earrings, the elaborate jewellery of the figure
accentuated with inlaid semi-precious stones, further
rendered clad in loose clothing with finely detailed floral hems
and a billowing shawl falling neatly over the lotus base, the
front of the base incised with an apocryphal twelve-character
reign mark dated to the 5th day of the 10th month of the 10th
year of the Kangxi reign (in accordance with 1671)
20 cm, 7⅞ in.
HK$ 500,000-800,000
US$ 64,000-102,000

This finely cast figure of Amitayus belongs to a small group of
sculptures produced during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor
who was a devout follower of Tibetan Buddhism. Figures in
this group are of varying sizes and depict Amitayus seated on
a double-lotus petal pedestal with a serene facial expression
and draped in jewellery embellished with colourful semi-
precious stones. Such portrayals are characteristic of imagery
used by Tibetans. Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life, is
the deity associated with the rites that ensure long life. He 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 others with the help of Amitayus.
The current figure is from the same set as other Kangxi
figures of Amitayus recorded in museum collections, including
one from the Qing court collection, preserved in the Palace
Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Buddhist Statues of Tibet: The
Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum,
Hong Kong, 2003, p. 238, cat. no. 227.

74 SOTHEBY’S 蘇富比