Country Group: The Himalayas (Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia and Other)

Item id: 398

This is a very unusual and beautiful copper 18/19thC Sino-Tibetan Buddhist sculpture of Amateyus. It is constructed in a highly unusual way: it is made of numerous parts that are each separately formed: they all may be hand hammered and repousse, or some of the substantial parts may be cast. Including the parts of the base, the body, and the decorative bits, there are somewhere between 15 and 20 separate parts! The piece is well executed, and the manner of construction is not evident except under close examination. It has a beautiful untouched patina and a beautiful face. There is some loss: there was originally a mandorla behind the figure and a bowl in the hands (these are often lost over the years). There is also loss to the decoration on one arm. The head cocks slightly to one side, which I believe was done during the original construction: this gives the figure a more animated look. Overall the piece is more compelling than many of the related bronzes, and it is far more rare. Stands 7 and 5/8 inches tall.