16th Jun, 2023 11:00
Fine Japanese Art
59
A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE GILT WOOD FIGURE OF AMIDA NYORAI
Sold for €9,100
including Buyer's Premium
Japan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Carved from cypress wood and assembled in yosegi-zukuri technique, Amida seated in dhyanasana atop a lotus throne raised on an elaborate tiered hexagonal base carved with lotus, cloud, and foliate designs as well as key-fret and floral diaper, the topmost tier centered by a polychrome wood figure of a celestial maiden.
His hands are lowered above his lap and joined in mida no jouin (dhyana mudra). He is wearing a loose-fitting robe opening at the chest and cascading in voluminous folds. His serene face with heavy-lidded downcast eyes below gently arched brows centered by a circular glass-inlaid byakugo (urna), his full lips forming a subtle smile, flanked by long pendulous earlobes. His hair is arranged in tight curls over the domed ushnisha.
The kohai (aureole) is elaborately carved in openwork with a flame-like design radiating from the central stylized lotus flowerhead.
HEIGHT 93 cm
Condition: Good condition with some wear, flaking and minor losses to lacquer, small chips, tiny nicks, light surface scratches, minor losses (particularly to the mandorla), minor old repairs.
Provenance: From a French private collection.
The sculpture represents Amitabha, known in Japanese as Amida Nyorai, or the Buddha of Limitless Light. Amitabha reigns over the Western Pure Land, a paradise to which anyone is welcomed if they faithfully and sincerely incant his name. This place of salvation became central to the Jodo [lit. Pure Land] sect of Buddhism. Propounded in 1175 by the monk Honen, the accessibility of such tenets of redemption allowed this form of Buddhism to proliferate across the nation and feudal classes of Japan. Often depicted with an elaborate mandala, the boat-shaped halo is said to remind his followers that he serves as a guide for them to cross the ocean of suffering which contaminates the living.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related lacquer figure of Amida of similar size at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 2 December 2022 (sold for 18,200 EUR).
Japan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Carved from cypress wood and assembled in yosegi-zukuri technique, Amida seated in dhyanasana atop a lotus throne raised on an elaborate tiered hexagonal base carved with lotus, cloud, and foliate designs as well as key-fret and floral diaper, the topmost tier centered by a polychrome wood figure of a celestial maiden.
His hands are lowered above his lap and joined in mida no jouin (dhyana mudra). He is wearing a loose-fitting robe opening at the chest and cascading in voluminous folds. His serene face with heavy-lidded downcast eyes below gently arched brows centered by a circular glass-inlaid byakugo (urna), his full lips forming a subtle smile, flanked by long pendulous earlobes. His hair is arranged in tight curls over the domed ushnisha.
The kohai (aureole) is elaborately carved in openwork with a flame-like design radiating from the central stylized lotus flowerhead.
HEIGHT 93 cm
Condition: Good condition with some wear, flaking and minor losses to lacquer, small chips, tiny nicks, light surface scratches, minor losses (particularly to the mandorla), minor old repairs.
Provenance: From a French private collection.
The sculpture represents Amitabha, known in Japanese as Amida Nyorai, or the Buddha of Limitless Light. Amitabha reigns over the Western Pure Land, a paradise to which anyone is welcomed if they faithfully and sincerely incant his name. This place of salvation became central to the Jodo [lit. Pure Land] sect of Buddhism. Propounded in 1175 by the monk Honen, the accessibility of such tenets of redemption allowed this form of Buddhism to proliferate across the nation and feudal classes of Japan. Often depicted with an elaborate mandala, the boat-shaped halo is said to remind his followers that he serves as a guide for them to cross the ocean of suffering which contaminates the living.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related lacquer figure of Amida of similar size at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 2 December 2022 (sold for 18,200 EUR).
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