A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF AMITAYUS, TIBETAN-CHINESE, 18TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF AMITAYUS, TIBETAN-CHINESE, 18TH CENTURY Finely cast seated in vajraparyankasana atop a double-lotus base with the hands held in dhyana mudra, the face with serene expression framed by a foliate five-point tiara inlaid with turquoise and coral, a sash encircling the shoulders and arms, dressed in a dhoti with finely chased foliate borders. The base sealed with a copper-plate incised with a double-vajra. Dimensions: Height 16.2 cm Amitayus, a form of the Buddha Amitabha in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, is associated with longevity, wisdom, and immortality. He is typically depicted wearing an ornate crown and holding a vase of Amrita, the nectar of immortality. In Tibetan and Nepalese Buddhist art, Amitayus plays a central role in longevity rituals, revered for overcoming karmic obstacles. His image is widely represented in sculptures and temple decorations, symbolizing enlightenment and the aspiration for a long, spiritually fulfilled life. Expert’s note: XRF analysis of the present figure identified copper and zinc as the principal components of the underlying metal, consistent with a copper-rich brass alloy. The surface measurement yielded exceptionally high levels of gold (51.4 wt.%) together with a significant mercury content (11.4 wt.%). This combination provides strong evidence that the figure was mercury-amalgam gilded, a technique commonly referred to as fire gilding. In this process, gold was mixed with mercury to form an amalgam, which was applied to the metal surface and subsequently heated, causing most of the mercury to evaporate while leaving the gold firmly bonded to the substrate. The residual mercury detected by XRF is characteristic of this historic gilding technique. The analytical results are fully consistent with the materials and casting methods employed for gilt-bronze objects in Tibet and China during the 18th century. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 21 March 2018, lot 575 Price: USD 30,000 or approx. EUR 34,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling, manner of casting, and gilding, with similar crown, face, jewelry, and base. Note the size (17.2 cm) and that the inlays are all lost on this example. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 15 December 2015, lot 44 Price: USD 15,000 or approx. EUR 18,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling, manner of casting, and gilding, with similar crown, face, jewelry, and base. Note the size (17 cm).

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