FREED FROM THE VAULT
AMITAYUS
Tshe dpag med
85.04.0647
Painted and Gilded Copper Alloy
China, 1780 – Dated by inscription
85.04.0648
Painted and Gilded Copper Alloy
China, 1770 – Dated by inscription
Amitayus, the Buddha of Eternal Life, is extremely popular, since his special ability it to prolong life. Many Buddhists commission images of him in both sculpture and paintings to gain merit and assure long life for themselves or someone else.
These two sculptures were commissioned by the Qianlong Emperor, one for his 60th birthday and one for his 70th. The inscription reads “Respectfully made in the Keng Zhi year of the Qianlong reign of the great Qing Dynasty,” in 1780.
Thank you to the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the Northfield Bank Foundation for their support of our Sunday Programs.