Gilt bronze alloy figure of Amitayus, Buddha of Infinite Life

This fine gilt bronze figure of Amitayus is seated in vajrasana upon a double lotus base with a beaded rim, his hands held in dhyana mudra at the lap supporting a kalasha, the long life vase that identifies him within the Buddhist pantheon. He wears a five leaf crown surmounted by a small seated Buddha finial, with earrings set with inset stones, an elaborate beaded necklace, and finely chased scarves falling from the shoulders. The face carries traces of cold gold pigment with the urna picked out in red, the hair defined in indigo, all consistent with the traditional Tibetan practice of periodically renewing devotional gilding by hand.

Tibet, late 18th century
Height 20 to 25 cm

The gilding across the body shows honest wear to the high points, revealing the warm bronze beneath, while the chasing of the lotus petals and scrollwork to the throne remains crisp and well defined throughout. The base is sealed in the traditional manner and bears an old paper label from Natesan's Antiquarts Pvt Ltd, the historic Bombay, Trivandrum and Bangalore antiquities house established in the mid twentieth century, evidencing the piece's passage through a recognised and reputable trade in the twentieth century.

A well proportioned and characterful example of Tibetan Buddhist sculpture, retaining an untouched, unrestored surface.