A RARE GILT-DECORATED CELADON JADE FIGURE OF BUDDHA AMITABHA, QING DYNASTY China, 1644-1912. Boldly carved seated in dhyanasana with his hands lowered in dhyana mudra, the loose-fitting robes cascading in voluminous folds draped over his left shoulder, picked out in gilt, and decorated with blossoms and diapered designs. The serene face with heavy-lidded eyes below gently arched eyebrows, a prominent nose, and full lips forming a benevolent smile, flanked by large elongated earlobes. The translucent stone is of a celadon tone with cloudy white inclusions.

Provenance: From an English private collection, acquired no later than the 1960s. Thence by descent.
Condition: Good condition with minor old wear and few small nicks. The back of the head with a bruise and associated loss, not visible from the front. Rubbing to gilt.

Weight: 1,131 g
Dimensions: Height 16.8 cm

Buddhism flourished during the Qing dynasty, and was encouraged by the devotion of the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors and their successors. As a result of its popularity, the production of Buddhist statuary, ritual objects, vessels and other implements became widespread, and a variety of materials was employed in their manufacture.

Literature comparison: For a related jade figure of Buddha with gilt decoration to his face, see Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum, Jade, vol. 8, p. 271, no. 235. Compare a related jade figure of Buddha illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Jadeware II, 2008, p. 207, no. 171. Compare a celadon jade gilt-lacquered figure of Guanyin at Christie’s London, 19 June 2001, lot 204, sold for GBP 14,100. Note that the Christie’s Guanyin was sold 20 years ago and thus the result does not adequately reflect the current value of this lot.

Auction result comparison: Compare a related jade figure of Buddha, dated 18^th-19^th century, at Christie’s New York in Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art on 23 March 2012, lot 1803, sold for USD 242,500. Compare a related celadon jade figure of Buddha, dated 18^th century, at Sotheby’s London, 7 November 2012, lot 231, sold for GBP 70,850. Compare a related white jade figure of Amitayus, dated to the Qianlong period, at Christie’s New York in Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art on 26 March 2010, lot 1112, sold for USD 134,500. Compare a related pale green jade figure of Amitayus, dated 17^th-18^th century, at Bonhams London in Fine Chinese Art on 13 May 2021, lot 27, sold for GBP 97,750.

清代罕見鎏金青玉阿彌陀佛像
中國，1644-1912年。佛陀坐禪，雙手施禪定印；長袍寬鬆，披於左肩，右肩裸露，衣沿覆蓋右腳踝，胸前衣褶優雅垂墜，鎏金，並飾有花卉圖案。面部表情安詳，厚重的眼瞼在微微拱起的眉毛下，突出的鼻子，豐滿的嘴唇形成仁慈的微笑，兩側是長長的耳垂。半透明的玉料呈青色調，帶有混濁的白色絮狀物。

來源：英國私人收藏，購於1960年代前，保存至今。
品相：狀況良好，有輕微舊磨損和少量小劃痕。 頭部後部有擦傷和相關缺損，從正面看不到，摩擦至鎏金。

重量：1,131 克
尺寸：高16.8 釐米

拍賣結果比較：比較一件相近玉雕佛像，十八至十九世紀，見紐約佳士得 Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art 2012年3月23日 lot 1803, 售價USD 242,500。比較一件相近的青玉雕佛像，十八世紀，見倫敦蘇富比2012年11月7日 lot 231, 售價GBP 70,850。比較一件相近的乾隆時期白玉阿彌陀佛像，見紐約佳士得 Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art 2010年3月26日 lot 1112, 售價USD 134,500。比較一件青綠色玉雕阿彌陀佛像，十七至十八世紀見倫敦邦翰思Fine Chinese Art 2021年5月13日 lot 27, 售價GBP 97,750。