Klubbat för:

70000 SEK

Utropspris

70 000-80 000 SEK

Beskrivning

A Tibetan Silver Inlay Gilt Bronze Figure of Amitayus, cast in three parts, with precious stones and traces of pigment. The Buddha of Infinite Life, Amitayus (Tibetan: tshe dpag med) is sitting in dhyanasana on a spacious lotus throne with beaded rims, his hands in dhyanamudra holding a kalasha, the vase with the elixir of immortality out of which emerges the Tree of life. He is adorned with a crown, earrings, necklaces, armrings and bracelets, partly with silver inlay and lavishly set with gems - many of which now lost, his hair in twined locks falling over his shoulders and at his back elegantly covering the fitting of his crown. Sealed with a gilded bottom cover incised with a large vishvavajra within two concentric circles, 15th century, height c. 17 cm, wear and loss of decoration, loose parts

Although gilded sculptures with silver inlay are quite rare, they are known for example from the Densatil monastery in Central Tibet. A fine example is a Lokapala (now in the Musée National des Arts Asiatiques Guimet, Paris MA 4963) dating from the 15th century, and with a silver inlay work much resembling that of the present Amitayus.

Already mentioned in the short version of the ancient Sanskrit text Sukhavativyuha, Amitayus became generally considered a crowned form of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, and the ruler of the Western Paradise, into which many aim to be reborn. He is bestowing long life to all his followers, and hence images of Amitayus/Amitabha are commonly found in private family shrines.

He is greatly cherished throughout Buddhist history, and in modern times especially in East Asia. In 1650 the fifth Dalai lama declared the Panchen lama and his successors an incarnation of Amitayus.

LITERATURE:

Olaf Czaja & Adriana Proser, 'Golden visions of Densatil, A Tibetan Buddhist Monastery', Asian Society Museum, New York, 2014, p. 78 f.

Albert Grünwedel, 'Mythologie du buddhisme au Tibet et en Mongolie, basée sur la collection lamaïque du Prince Oukhtomsky', Leipzig, 1900, p. 120

Alexandra Lavizzari-Reauber, 'Thangkas, Rollbilder aus dem Himalaya, Kunst und mystische Bedeutung', Du Mont, Köln, 3. Auflage, 1989, p. 129

Blanche Christine Olschak, 'Mystik und Kunst Alttibets', Bern. Hallweg., 1972, p. 132

Marylin M. Rhie & Robert A.F. Thurman, 'The Sacred art of Tibet', Thames & Hudson, London, 1996 (1991), p. 355

Toni Schmid, 'Saviours of mankind', Stockholm, Sven Hedin Foundation, 1961, p. 36

Stockholms Auktionsverk would like to extend its warmest thanks to Karl Gunnar Gardell, for his invaluable assistance in providing us with information.

Auktionsnummer:

3120

Datum:

2015-06-04