17th Oct, 2024 11:00
TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism
3
A TWO-TONE GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF AMITAYUS, LATE KANGXI TO EARLY QIANLONG PERIOD
€1,500
€3,000
€1,500 (1bid)
A buyer’s premium of 30.00% (including VAT) applies to the hammer price of this lot if your bid is successful.
Expert’s note: This superb bronze features gilding in both yellow and rose gold. The rose gold, evident on the face, arms, and abdomen, is characterized by its faint reddish hue and natural flaking, due to the copper content in the alloy. In contrast, the yellow gold, found on the base, legs, and shawl, has a higher gold concentration, making it more resistant to wear and discoloration. Two-tone gilding was reserved for only the finest and most exquisite statues due to the complexity of its execution.
China, first half of the 18th century. Neatly cast, seated in dhyanasana on a double-lotus base with beaded upper edge, his hands lowered in dhyana mudra. He is wearing a billowing shawl and a dhoti finely incised with floral hems and pooling beautifully at the base, and richly adorned in intricate jewelry. The deity is skillfully portrayed with a serene expression framed by an elaborate paneled tiara and a pair of pendulous earlobes adorned with earrings. The hair is arranged in an elaborate high chignon surmounted by a jewel and elegantly falling in long strands over the shoulders.
Provenance: Brussels trade. By repute acquired at a small, local estate sale.
Condition: Very good condition with old wear and minimal casting irregularities, light rubbing to gilt, remnants of pigment to the back of the base, and few small nicks. The base unsealed.
Weight: 300.8 g
Dimensions: Height 10.4 cm
Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life, is the deity associated with the rites that ensure long life. He is especially worshiped by Tibetans, who believe that life can be extended through long lineages, faith, and compassion. It is also believed that one can achieve self-enlightenment and cater to the welfare of others with the help of Amitayus.
Amitayus is also one of the most popular meditational deities 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 AD, 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 resided in the wondrous realm of Sukhavati.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 23 March 2018, lot 936
Price: USD 8,750 or approx. EUR 10,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A small gilt-bronze figure of Amitayus Buddha, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, modeling, manner of casting, gilding, and size (10.2 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Galerie Zacke Vienna, 11 April 2024, lot 56
Price: EUR 33,800
Description: A rare two-tone gilt bronze figure of Vajradhara and Samantabhadri in union, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related two-tone gilding with rose and yellow gold. Note the different subject and size (17 cm).
Expert’s note: This superb bronze features gilding in both yellow and rose gold. The rose gold, evident on the face, arms, and abdomen, is characterized by its faint reddish hue and natural flaking, due to the copper content in the alloy. In contrast, the yellow gold, found on the base, legs, and shawl, has a higher gold concentration, making it more resistant to wear and discoloration. Two-tone gilding was reserved for only the finest and most exquisite statues due to the complexity of its execution.
China, first half of the 18th century. Neatly cast, seated in dhyanasana on a double-lotus base with beaded upper edge, his hands lowered in dhyana mudra. He is wearing a billowing shawl and a dhoti finely incised with floral hems and pooling beautifully at the base, and richly adorned in intricate jewelry. The deity is skillfully portrayed with a serene expression framed by an elaborate paneled tiara and a pair of pendulous earlobes adorned with earrings. The hair is arranged in an elaborate high chignon surmounted by a jewel and elegantly falling in long strands over the shoulders.
Provenance: Brussels trade. By repute acquired at a small, local estate sale.
Condition: Very good condition with old wear and minimal casting irregularities, light rubbing to gilt, remnants of pigment to the back of the base, and few small nicks. The base unsealed.
Weight: 300.8 g
Dimensions: Height 10.4 cm
Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life, is the deity associated with the rites that ensure long life. He is especially worshiped by Tibetans, who believe that life can be extended through long lineages, faith, and compassion. It is also believed that one can achieve self-enlightenment and cater to the welfare of others with the help of Amitayus.
Amitayus is also one of the most popular meditational deities 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 AD, 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 resided in the wondrous realm of Sukhavati.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 23 March 2018, lot 936
Price: USD 8,750 or approx. EUR 10,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A small gilt-bronze figure of Amitayus Buddha, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, modeling, manner of casting, gilding, and size (10.2 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Galerie Zacke Vienna, 11 April 2024, lot 56
Price: EUR 33,800
Description: A rare two-tone gilt bronze figure of Vajradhara and Samantabhadri in union, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related two-tone gilding with rose and yellow gold. Note the different subject and size (17 cm).
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Auction: TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism, 17th Oct, 2024
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Galerie Zacke is thrilled to present a two-day live auction event showcasing 700 works of art from China, Southeast Asia, India, and beyond.
The flagship auction will take place on Day 1 of the sale (lots 1-278) and features an inspired selection of impressive pieces from notable collections. Highlights include an important white marble torso of Buddha Maitreya from the Tang dynasty (lot 38), a magnificent pair of Imperial zitan ‘elephant’ stands likely originating from the Forbidden City or Summer Palace (lot 89), and an extremely rare gold rain drum from the ancient kingdoms of Cham (lot 238).
The general auction will follow on Day 2 (lots 279-700), offering opportunities for both seasoned collectors and new bidders.
Museum Deaccessions include the Wou Lien-Pai Museum and the Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum.
Notable Collector’s Provenances include Sir Elton John; Kartika Soekarno-Seegers, the daughter of Sokarno; His Exalted Highness, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan (1886-1967); and Xu Yingkui (1830-1903), Viceroy of Min-Zhe, Guangzhou, China; as well as many prestigious names such as Alan and Simone Hartman, Onno Janssens, Dr. Johan Carl Kempe, Nellie and Basil Ionides, David Taylor, and Captain William Alexander ‘Bill’ Palmer CBE DL.
Historic Gallery and Dealership Provenances include Jules Speelman, Sam Bernstein, Jacques Barrère, Michael Goedhuis, Leonardo Vigorelli, Sydney L. Moss Ltd, Ralph M. Chait Galleries, Robert Kleiner, Roger Keverne Ltd, and Spink & Son.
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