A MONUMENTAL GILT WOOD STATUE OF AMIDA NYORAI
A MONUMENTAL AND IMPORTANT GILT WOOD STATUE OF AMIDA NYORAI
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Of yosegi (jointed) construction, Amida standing on an elaborate stepped lotus pedestal carved with floral decorations in openwork, swirling clouds, lotus, and a shishi, his loose-fitting robe opening at the chest and cascading in voluminous folds.
His hands are held in raigou-in mudra, welcoming the dead into his Pure Land. His serene face with heavy-lidded downcast eyes below gently arched eyebrows centered by a glass or rock crystal byakugo (urna), a broad nose, full lips, and a thin painted mustache, flanked by long pendulous pierced earlobes.
The kohai (aureole) behind him with swirling clouds, a separately carved small figure of Buddha seated in meditation, and a central openworked lotus flower.
HEIGHT 132 cm (total) and 70 cm (the figure)
Condition: Excellent condition with old wear, minor flaking to lacquer, small losses, natural age cracks, minor nicks and chips. Small old repairs and minor touchups. The tip of the aureole with an old restoration. Overall as expected and commensurate with age and size.
Provenance: Christian Magnier, Japon Antique, Paris, 6 January 2007. Jane and Robert Coppenrath, acquired from the above. A copy of a handwritten expertise, signed by Christian Magnier, dated 6 January 2007, and dating the figure to c. 1800, accompanies this lot. Jane (d. 2020) and Robert Coppenrath (d. 2017) were collectors of Japanese, African, and Inuit art based in Montreal. Jane, a native of the United Kingdom, and Robert, a native of France, began their careers in Canada in the early 1970s. Robert owned an antiques shop while Jane worked in an art gallery. They were avid travelers and adventurers, with visits to antique shops in Brussels, art galleries in Paris and Berlin, and antique vendors in Bombay, Bangkok, and Tokyo, among others.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related gilt wood figure of Amida measuring only 66 cm, together with two even smaller figures, all dated to the 18th century, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 15 September 2015, New York, lot 3072 (sold for 17,500 USD). Also compare with a closely related gilt wood figure of Amida of near-identical size (135 cm), sold in these rooms, in Fine Japanese Works of Art, 4 June 2015, Vienna, lot 127 (sold for 32,800 EUR). Also compare with a closely related statue of Amida of near-identical size, but lacking most of the superb gilding of the present lot, sold at Christie's London, Japanese Art and Design, 16 November 2000, lot 191 (sold for 35,200 GBP - c. 42,000 EUR).
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A MONUMENTAL AND IMPORTANT GILT WOOD STATUE OF AMIDA NYORAI
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Of yosegi (jointed) construction, Amida standing on an elaborate stepped lotus pedestal carved with floral decorations in openwork, swirling clouds, lotus, and a shishi, his loose-fitting robe opening at the chest and cascading in voluminous folds.
His hands are held in raigou-in mudra, welcoming the dead into his Pure Land. His serene face with heavy-lidded downcast eyes below gently arched eyebrows centered by a glass or rock crystal byakugo (urna), a broad nose, full lips, and a thin painted mustache, flanked by long pendulous pierced earlobes.
The kohai (aureole) behind him with swirling clouds, a separately carved small figure of Buddha seated in meditation, and a central openworked lotus flower.
HEIGHT 132 cm (total) and 70 cm (the figure)
Condition: Excellent condition with old wear, minor flaking to lacquer, small losses, natural age cracks, minor nicks and chips. Small old repairs and minor touchups. The tip of the aureole with an old restoration. Overall as expected and commensurate with age and size.
Provenance: Christian Magnier, Japon Antique, Paris, 6 January 2007. Jane and Robert Coppenrath, acquired from the above. A copy of a handwritten expertise, signed by Christian Magnier, dated 6 January 2007, and dating the figure to c. 1800, accompanies this lot. Jane (d. 2020) and Robert Coppenrath (d. 2017) were collectors of Japanese, African, and Inuit art based in Montreal. Jane, a native of the United Kingdom, and Robert, a native of France, began their careers in Canada in the early 1970s. Robert owned an antiques shop while Jane worked in an art gallery. They were avid travelers and adventurers, with visits to antique shops in Brussels, art galleries in Paris and Berlin, and antique vendors in Bombay, Bangkok, and Tokyo, among others.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related gilt wood figure of Amida measuring only 66 cm, together with two even smaller figures, all dated to the 18th century, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 15 September 2015, New York, lot 3072 (sold for 17,500 USD). Also compare with a closely related gilt wood figure of Amida of near-identical size (135 cm), sold in these rooms, in Fine Japanese Works of Art, 4 June 2015, Vienna, lot 127 (sold for 32,800 EUR). Also compare with a closely related statue of Amida of near-identical size, but lacking most of the superb gilding of the present lot, sold at Christie's London, Japanese Art and Design, 16 November 2000, lot 191 (sold for 35,200 GBP - c. 42,000 EUR).
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