A copper-alloy figure of Amitayus


Tibet, 16th centurySeated cross-legged atop a double-lotus base and the hands held in dhyana mudra, adorned with turquoise-inlaid jewellery and flanked by two stems of blossoming lotus, with downcast eyes in meditative contemplation surmounted by a foliate crown and a jewelled chignon. 18.5cm (7 1/4in) high.
|西藏 十六世紀 銅無量壽佛坐像Provenance: a French private collection來源： 法國私人收藏Known as the Buddha of Long Life, Amitayus is a very popular meditational deity in Vajravana Buddhism where he is highly revered for his longevity attributes, pure perception and awareness of the emptiness of phenomena. According to the 'Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life', compiled during the 1st or 2nd century A.D, the infinite merits possessed by the deity resulted from the performance of good deeds in his past lives as a bodhisattva named Dharmakara. Having attained enlightenment, the deity was believed to reside in the wondrous land of Sukhavati. Compare with a similar silver and copper alloy figure of Amitayus, 16th century, which was sold by Bonhams New York, 13 March 2017, lot 3078.