50.5 cm. (19 7/8 in.) high

Provenance:
An American private collection

The figure is cast seated in dhyanasana and hands held in dhyana mudra, wearing a dhoti incised at the hem with floral decoration and a sash suspending ornaments cascading off the crossed legs leaving the chest bare, wearing a series of beaded necklaces, armlets, bracelets and earrings, the serene facial expression with downcast eyes framed by pendulous ears and simple crown holding the hair in high chignon, overall richly gilt and hair with blue pigments.
Amitayus, or the Buddha of Infinite Light, also known as Amitabha in Sanskrit, is the 'Celestial Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Immortality' according to the scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism, and is the principle Buddha of the Pure Land Buddhism. The sutra goes to explain that Amitayus is endowed with infinite merit resulting in good deeds over countless past lives as the bodhisattva Dharmakara, and is often associated with longevity, aggregate of discernment, pure perception and the deep awareness of emptiness.
From the beginning of the 11th century through to the 14th centuries, Tibetan Buddhists appropriated the Indian Pala style with relatively faithful adherence, with much significance of this credited to the Newari artisans of the Kathmandu Valley, who conservatively preserved aesthetic traditions through generations of master craftsmen, and were called to service by predominant powers in Tibet and China to commission on significant monastic projects. The dissemination of Tibetan Buddhism in the Yuan court from 1260s onward, and the commissioning of Newari master craftsmen for imperial projects, initiated new aesthetic attitudes in China. The present lot of a hierarchic figure of Amitayus has crisp details of fine craftsmanship would be a fine 15th century descendant of this tradition, successfully exhibiting the continuity and profound artistic bridge connecting India, Nepal, Tibet, and China.

Price estimate:
HKD: 3,800,000 - 4,200,000
USD: 487,200 - 538,500

Auction Result:
HKD: --