a rare japanese gilt-wood group of amida nyorai, ananda and kasyapa

CIRCA 17TH CENTURY

Details

a rare japanese gilt-wood group of amida nyorai, ananda and kasyapa
circa 17th century
Amida Nyorai, is seated in vajrasana on a separate carved lotus base, placed on an elaborate throne resting on six claws, both hands in dhyanamudra, wearing pleated garment, his face with meditative expression, inlaid eyes, slightly smiling lips, curled hairdress, an elaborate halo with central bronze mirror behind, flanked by Ananda, standing on a separate carved lotus, on a similar throne, both hands in anjalimudra, wearing long pleated garment, his face with serene expression, inlaid eyes, smiling lips, bald head, and Kasyapa, standing on a lotus, placed on a similar throne, both hands clasped in front of his breast, wearing garment over one shoulder showing his breast, his face with bushy eyebrows, inlaid eyes, open mouth, elongated pierced earlobes and bald head
shrine with Amida Nyorai 185 cm, Kasyapa 105 high (3)

Lot Essay

Amida Nyorai and both disciples form probably part of a larger set of Amida surrounded by his ten disciples. Nevertheless it is still rare to find a group of three outside the Buddhist temples of Japan. All three sculptures are carved in the same workshop as is visible from details on the elaborated thrones. They all share the same claw-feet, similar engraved panels and similar shaped lotus petals. The large aureol, although from the same date, seems to be a later addition as it is slightly to large for the image. The craftmanship of the standing disciples and seated Amida is remarkable, especially if one sees how the artist(s) rendered the emaciated body of Kasyapa and the garments of Ananda and Amida Nyorai.

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