There
is something unusual about this piece in that the large majority of Amitayus Buddhas
are depicted wearing a crown. This could possibly be explained by Amitayus’ relationship
to Amitabha, the Buddha from which Amitaya descended, as the two are often interchangeable
with each other. Amitayus is the apparitional form of Amitabha, and thus it is
not hard to see that the two iconographies could inter-mix, particularly in their
earlier stages of development. What clearly designates this Buddha as Amitayus
is the vase resting in his hands, said to hold the nectar of immortality.
When
held upside down, one sees a thick rim around a hollow center, and the piece feels
good in its heaviness. Amitayus, the Buddha of long life, sits with his young
face as still as the day it was cast. A beautiful and unique piece in good condition.
