A NEPALESE BRONZE FIGURE OF AMITAYUS, MEDIEVAL PERIOD C. 11^th-14^th century. Seated in dhyanasana atop a waisted double-lotus base with beaded upper edge, his hands holding the amrita vase, clad in a diaphanous sanghati with the folds gathered over the ankles and onto the base, adorned with beaded and floral jewelry and billowing scarves. The serene face with heavy-lidded eyes below gently arched brows centered by an urna, wearing a foliate tiara.

Provenance: UK trade.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, casting flaws, signs of weathering and erosion, dents, nicks, losses, scratches. The tiara is bent and the back of the head and chignon are lost. Fine, naturally grown patina with a good, unctuous feel overall. The base unsealed and fitted with a wood core some time ago.

Weight: 403.2 g
Dimensions: Height 13 cm

Expert’s note: The current work displays strong characteristics of Nepalese ateliers, particularly the rich coppery tone of the bronze. Influences of Pala tradition from northeast India are also articulated, including the tubular limbs. The waisted lotus base, on the other hand, is reminiscent of the even earlier Swat Valley bronzes. The statue itself and the condition of the piece overall preclude any revival style, making a dating between the 11^th and 14^th centuries most likely.

Auction result comparison: Compare a related bronze figure of Amitayus or Manjushri, 14 cm high, dated to the 11^th century, at Christie’s New York in Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Works of Art on 20 March 2019, lot 623, sold for USD 25,000.

中世紀尼泊爾無量壽佛銅像
約十一至十四世紀。無量壽佛手持淨瓶平行曡放在雙膝上，結跏趺坐坐於雙層蓮座上，頭戴寶冠，髮髻高聳，項戴纓絡項鍊，裝飾華麗 。表情安詳，眼睛微垂，眉頭微彎，雙眉之間有白毫。

來源: 英國古玩市場。
品相: 狀況良好，與年齡相稱，有大面積磨損、鑄造瑕疵、風化、侵蝕跡象、凹痕、刻痕、缺損和劃痕。頭飾彎曲，後腦勺和髮髻丟失。自然包漿，整體感覺細膩。底座曾被開封並安裝了木芯。

重量: 403.2 克
尺寸: 高13 厘米

拍賣結果比較: 比較一件相近的十一世紀阿彌陀佛或文殊菩薩銅像，高14 厘米，見紐約佳士得Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Works of Art 2019年3月20日 lot 623, 售價USD 25,000。