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Lot Essay
The present figure of Amitayus follows on from the prototypes of the earlier iconic examples dated to the Kangxi period. Although the Kangxi examples are clearly influenced by early 15th century gilt bronzes made for the Imperial court, stylistically the current figure follows even more closely the early Ming gilt bronzes, and is a revivial of the 15th century style. While undoubtedly 18th century, many of the features on the current figure, such as the treatment of the jewellery and garments, are clearly referring to the early Ming gilt bronze figures. An even closer comparison is a smaller and somewhat less refined Amitayus figure dated to the 17th century in the Chang Foundation, Taipei, illustrated in the exhibition catalogue Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal, 1983, Taipei, no. 18, p. 50, which can be seen as the direct prototype of the current lot.