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Lot Essay
The present example belongs to a very rare group of smaller sized, standing Buddhist images from the Ming dynasty Yongle period that are finely and skilfully cast. Another such example is the gilt-bronze standing figure of Sakyamuni of similar height from the Speelman Collection, sold at Sothebys Hong Kong, 7 October 2006, lot 803.
The modelling of the present Amitabha goes further in that it displays unusually intricate details including the wave-design decorating the inside of the alms bowl, the bejewelled feet, and the long strands of hair falling over its back (see back cover).
Buddhist images from the first half of the fifteenth century were greatly influenced by the art of Tibet. In the preceding century under the Yuan Dynasty, the authority of Mongol rulers had become closely associated with Tibetan Buddhist or Lamaist rituals. The tradition of Lamaist art continued into the Ming period and prevailed in works of art such as the present sculpture.
The modelling of the present Amitabha goes further in that it displays unusually intricate details including the wave-design decorating the inside of the alms bowl, the bejewelled feet, and the long strands of hair falling over its back (see back cover).
Buddhist images from the first half of the fifteenth century were greatly influenced by the art of Tibet. In the preceding century under the Yuan Dynasty, the authority of Mongol rulers had become closely associated with Tibetan Buddhist or Lamaist rituals. The tradition of Lamaist art continued into the Ming period and prevailed in works of art such as the present sculpture.