Lot 85

Overall in good condition, the base plaque loose, exposing the intact original scrolls and prayers inside the core.


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The opinions expressed in the condition reports are a guide only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek further information or request additional images during our pre-sale period where Leonard Joel staff are available for advice. Please note condition reports can be amended during the pre-sale period, so we strongly suggest any interested bidders check the published condition report available on the website before the auction commences. Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.

From a private Tasmanian collection, passed down by descent.
Bonhams Sydney, 22 March, 2015, lot 400.

This most precious and rare image marks the high point of creativity achieved in the Khasa-Malla kingdom of far western Nepal. There are relatively few of these images known but an increasing number are coming to notice. Such images are usually identified by the red paint fragments found on the rear of the base.
The consummate skill brought to the image suggests that it might have been a gift-offering to a Tibetan monastery such as Densatil where several such pieces are known to have been sequestered.
Amitayus is known as the deity who brings long-life and in his hands he holds the vase which holds the water which bestows that long-life, suggested by the evergreen leaves sometimes depicted sprouting from it. He looks with wide open eyes at the worshipper - indeed as the texts tell us, he sees not only one's past deeds but one's future deeds and on such a basis grants eternal life…or not.
The image is absolutely flawlessly made and a great part of its value lies in the vajra-decorated base-plate which has possibly been dislodged, revealing many rolled up scrolls of prayers for long life. Not seen are the long piece of wood (known as the 'life-wood') which goes from the base of the image's spine to the top of the head, the small cloth bags containing semi-precious stones, small bags with the fingernail parings (and sometimes dried blood) of a revered Lama, tiny metal scraps from Tibet's ancient past etc etc. The base plate itself contains several supplications in Tibetan script including one to Vasundhara (the bringer of wealth and harmony).
By Dr. David Templeman, Monash University, Melbourne

此件珍罕之作，堪稱尼泊爾遠西部卡薩瑪拉王國造像藝術創造力的巔峰之作。已知同類作品數量極少，然而近年來逐漸有更多例子為世人所發現。此類造像通常可藉由殘留於底座背後的紅色顏料痕跡加以辨識。

此像所展現的精湛工藝，顯示其極有可能曾作為供養之禮奉獻於西藏某座寺院，如丹薩替寺即已知收藏有數件相類作品。

阿彌陀佛被視為賜予長壽之本尊，雙手持有盛滿甘露的寶瓶，寓意長壽；有時瓶中尚繪有常青之葉，自瓶口生發而出。他雙目圓睜，直視供養者——經典中記載，他能洞見眾生的過去與未來之業，並依此賜予永生，或不予賜予。

此像製作之精絕，無懈可擊，其價值的重要部分還在於底部飾有金剛杵紋之底板。該底板或已鬆動，因而顯露出內藏大量祈願長壽的卷軸經文。未見者，則包括自造像脊柱基部直達頭頂的「壽木」、盛裝半寶石的小布囊、藏有高僧指甲屑（有時亦含有乾涸血液）的布袋、來自西藏古代的細小金屬片等等。底板本身亦書寫多條藏文祈願，其中包括一則奉請財富與和諧女神筏蘇德羅（Vasundhara）的祈詞。

——墨爾本蒙納士大學
戴維‧坦普曼（David Templeman）教授