78. STATUETTE OF AMITAYUS IN GILDED COPPER ALLOY Mongolia, Zanabazar school, 18th century A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF AMITAYUS Mongolia, Zanabazar school, 18th century Himalayan Art Resources item no. 1992 14 cm (5 1/2 in) high 蒙古 扎那巴扎爾風格 十八世紀 銅鎏金無量壽佛像 Provenance: Acquired from Galerie Gross, Wiesbaden, 1 November 1984. Collection of Christian von Reitzenstein. 來源 於1984年11月1日得自威斯巴登Galerie Gross藝廊 Christian von Reitzenstein珍藏 Seated with the elixir of long life in his lap is Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life, whose gentle countenance reflects his compassion and desire to save all sentient beings. Invoked for his ability to prolong the lifespan of devotees, Amitayus was an especially popular subject of worship for both Qing Manchu and Mongolian worshippers alike. This 18th c. figure follows in the Zanabazar artistic school of Mongolia, founded in the 17th century by Jebstundampa Khutukhtu Zanabazar (1635-1723). Works in the Zanabazar style are characterised by lustrous gilding, smooth contours, as well as perfect proportions and details, as seen in the present figure. The fine arches of Amitayus' brows and his aquiline nose are also hallmarks of the Zanabazar school, as is the distinctly broad treatment of the lotus petals. Compare with a slightly larger gilt bronze figure of Amitayus, also attributed to the Zanabazar school, and seated on a similar round lotus base, sold in Christie's, Paris, 22 June 2016, lot 86.