CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, XVIIIÈME SIÈCLE

Amitayus, known as the “Buddha of Infinite Light” and the “Bestower of Long Life,” is depicted here in vajrasana, with hands held in meditation and supporting a kalasha containing the elixir of immortality. As one of the most venerated deities in the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon, images of Amitayus were especially favored by the Qianlong emperor.
This boulder is carved from a single piece of red-and-white agate, with the artisan expertly following the natural coloration and striations of the stone. Employing the exceptional qiao zuo (“ingenious carving”) technique, the red-veined areas are rendered as layered mountains and pine trees, evoking an auspicious and immortal landscape. The central white section is meticulously carved with a side-profile figure of Amitayus in serene meditative repose, his robes flowing naturally and gracefully.
The striking contrast between the red and white zones creates a visually dynamic composition, with distinct spatial layers that showcase both the inherent beauty of the material and the carver’s extraordinary technical skill.