A FINE AND RARE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF AMITHABA BUDDHA

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A FINE AND RARE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF AMITHABA BUDDHA
LIAO DYNASTY

The figure seated in sattvaparyankasana, the hands form dhyana mudra, the gentle facial features with an urna between slightly arched eyebrows above downcast eyes, the long pendulous ears cut with vertical slots, the hair arranged in rows of raised circular dots, an adornment set into the base of the usnisa, garbed in a flowing monk's robe over one shoulder cascading in fine detailed raised folds to envelop the folded legs, the bare right shoulder exposed to reveal an elaborate floral necklace and matching armlet, each wrist wearing a bangle
8 3/4 in. (22.3 cm.) high, wood stand, box

Lot Essay

The remarkably fine folds of the garment on this present figure provides a pleasing visual balance against the floral garland on a bare chest. A similar gilt-bronze figure of the same size seated with the same hand gesture but without any adornments and less pronounced folds of the garment dated to the Song period is in the Cleveland Museum of Art, illustrated in Hai-Wai Yi-Chen, Chinese Art in Overseas Collections, Buddhist Sculpture 11, no. 136.

Cf. also the folded garment of a gilt-bronze Vairocana dated to the 10th century, formerly in the Minkenhof collection, exhibited at Messers Eskenazi, Ancient Chinese bronze vessels, gilt bronzes and sculptures; two private collections, one formerly part of the Minkenhof collection, Catalogue, 1977, no. 38.

(US$80,000-90,000)

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