A RARE HARDSTONE-INSET CLOISONNE AND CHAMPLEVE GILT-BRONZE SEATED AMITAYUS QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

with hands held in dhyanamudra supporting a vase with a cintamani emblem, the face with serene expression adorned with an urna on the forehead, the hair partially drawn up in a knotted jatamakuta secured by a hardstone-inset ornament worn behind a five-leaf crown, with tresses of hair falling to the shoulders, further embellished with jewelled earrings, beaded necklaces, bracelets, armbands, and anklets, a scarf around the bare shoulders flowing over the arms, wearing a voluminous lower garment gathered at the waist and fastened by a beaded girdle, seated in dhyanasana with dhoti falling from legs, backed by a cloisonné and champlevé decorated flaming mandorla, set with religious motifs including garuda and makaras, all supported on a circular waisted base pedestal similarly decorated with lotus scrolls and tiered petals

Acquired in Zurich, 1996.
Collection of Veena and Peter Schnell.

The ends of the sashes tied to the ears have been slightly chipped off. Although there are also some small chips, losses and replacement to the hardstones, most of the original gems have been preserved. There are some refilled losses (max. about 2 cm) to the enamels on the pedestal. The gilding is in very good condition with only light rubbing to the face and the hands. The base plate has probably been opened and resealed with its contents removed. The Amitayus is loosely fitted onto the pedestal. The back of the mandorla and the underside are lacquered in red and brown.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This splendid figure of Amitayus is an extremely rare example of Buddhist sculpture incorporating cloisonné and champlevé enamel techniques.  A closely related example, and possibly a companion to the present figure, but missing the gilt openwork component of the mandorla from the Berti Aschmann collection and now in the Museum Rietberg, Zurich, was included in the exhibition On the Path to Enlightenment, Museum Reitberg, Zurich, 1995, cat. no. 34. Such figures may have comprised part of a larger group produced for the emperor to mark a special occasion or for one of the many Tibetan Buddhist temples in the capital; see a set of gilt bronze figures in the main hall of the Yuhuatai (Pavilion of Raining Flowers) photographed in situ and illustrated in Cultural Relics of Tibetan Buddhism Collected in the Qing Palace, Hong Kong, 1992, pl. 103.

A smaller figure of Amitayus, similarly seated before a gilt bronze flaming mandorla and on a rectangular base, the crown, robes and base decorated in cloisonné enamel, is published in Buddhist Statues in Yonghegong, Beijing, 2001, pl. 48; and a large figure of Maitreya with enamelled robes was sold in our London rooms, 9^th May 1986, lot 625. Compare also a cloisonné enamel pedestal of lotus flower form, surmounted by a tall mandorla and set with a later rock crystal figure of Guanyin, sold in our London rooms, 10^th June 1986, lot 83. For small champlevé enamel decorated figures, see a seated Buddha on a double-lotus pedal, with a Qianlong reign mark and of the period, sold in our London rooms, 9^th April 1974, lot 316; and a figure of a seated lohan, attributed to the Ming dynasty, included in the Oriental Ceramics Society exhibition The Arts of the Ming Dynasty, The Arts Council Gallery, London, 1957, cat. no. 295.

Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life, is the deity associated with the rites that ensure long life. The deity is especially worshipped 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. It was during Qianlong's reign that the popularity and worship of Amitayus increased substantially due to the emperor's self-identification with this deity.