Amitayus Buddha Miniature Statue - Brass (4.5 cm)

A finely crafted small figurine of the Buddha Amitayus in a meditative posture on a double lotus pedestal, made of dark-patinated brass. Both hands rest in his lap in a gesture of contemplation and hold a longevity vessel; a tall crown, jewelry, and the fine detailing of the face and pedestal distinguish this small piece.

Amitayus—Tibetan: Tshepame —is the “Buddha of Boundless Life.” He and the better-known Amitabha are considered to be the same enlightened being depicted in two deliberately different forms: Amitabha appears as a simple monk, while Amitayus appears as a crowned, ornately adorned figure. Amitayus is recognizable above all by the vessel in his hands, which contains the “nectar of immortality.” In the Tibetan tradition, the two forms are never conflated; Amitayus is venerated in a separate ceremony for long life. The princely adornments—including a crown and jewels—characterize, as is customary in Tantric iconography, the Buddhas of the expanded pantheon—in contrast to Shakyamuni Buddha, who is always depicted as a monk.

The back is just as intricately detailed, so the figure looks impressive from every angle.

Height approx. 45 mm · , silver-plated brass