Arte Cinese A rare, massive, gilt lacquered bronze

Chinese Art A rare, massive, gilt lacquered bronze statue of the symbolic tantric Buddha Amitabha China, late Ming dynasty, 16th - 17th century. . Cm 26,00 x 53,00 x 17,00. Big bronze cast depicting the Cosmic Buddha Amitabha, portrayed while sitting in the padmasana position on a lotus flower base with three layers of petals. A pivot beneath the base allows it to be placed on a hexagonal bronze base depicting the stem of the flower emerging from the waves.The figure wears a monastic robe with trimmings chiseled with flower motifs leaving bare the chest engraved with a swastika. The hands in his lap perform the dhyanamudra gesture, the face is serene and the eyes and the mouth are painted.This lot is part of an incomplete set portraying the five transcendent Buddhas. In this catalogue are also available two more pieces from the same set: Akshobhya lot nr.147 and Ratnasambhava lot nr.146.This type of lacquered and gilded bronze casts were widely popular in China during the XVI century, nonetheless, items of considerable dimensions such as the ones on offer are quite rare and were commissioned by important clients. Also quite rare are items which still present an almost intact finishing décor, considering the frailty of the lacquer on bronze, and the presence of the original raised base.For a similar item, please refer to the one sold by Sotheby's Paris, Arts d'Asie, June 13, 2012, lot 155.The sculpture without the base is 33.5 cm tall.Provenance: the item has been part of a private collection from Northern Italy for at least the last 60 years.