118 - A VERY LARGE (137 CM) AND SUPERB GILT-WOOD FIGURE OF A STANDING AMIDA NYORAI (AMITABHA), 18TH CENTURY, EDO PERIOD

A VERY LARGE (137 CM) AND SUPERB GILT-WOOD FIGURE OF A STANDING AMIDA NYORAI (AMITABHA), 18TH CENTURY, EDO PERIOD Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved in yosegi-zukuri (joined-block construction) and richly gilt, Amida stands atop a separately carved lotus pedestal supported on a vigorously modeled cloud-form base. His right hand is raised and the left lowered in raigo-in, the welcoming gesture associated with his descent to receive the faithful into the Western Pure Land. He is dressed in voluminous monastic robes opening at the chest and falling in deeply carved, rhythmic folds across the body and toward the feet. The sensitively modeled face conveys a profound serenity, with heavy-lidded downcast eyes beneath gently arched brows centered by a crystal-inlaid byakugo (urna), a broad nose, and full lips forming a subtle smile. The elongated earlobes frame the rounded face, while the hair is arranged in tight, regular curls over the domed ushnisha, further embellished with a rose quartz-inlaid nikkeishu. The large kohai (aureole) is intricately carved in openwork with dense scrolling flames centered by a pierced lotus medallion. HEIGHT 82 cm (the figure), 137 cm (total) WEIGHT 14.2 kg (total) Provenance: Flying Cranes Antiques, New York, United States. Collection of Eduardo Cohen, acquired from the above upon the closure of the gallery in 2017. Flying Cranes Antiques was founded by Jean and Clifford Schaefer and became a leading New York gallery specializing in Japanese art, particularly Meiji-period metalwork, cloisonné, ceramics, lacquer, and carvings. Over more than four decades, the gallery placed important works in major private and museum collections internationally. The present sculpture formed part of the gallery holdings acquired by Eduardo Cohen upon its closure in 2017. Condition: Good condition with expected wear, typical rubbing to gilt, flaking to lacquer, tiny nicks, and small chips. Age cracks to the aureole with associated touchups. Presenting exceptionally well. Amida Nyorai, the Japanese manifestation of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, presides over the Western Pure Land, where devotees sought rebirth and eventual enlightenment. Central to Japanese Pure Land belief is the concept of raigo, the descent of Amida, often accompanied by bodhisattvas and celestial attendants, to receive the faithful at the moment of death and guide them to his paradise. The raigo-in displayed by the present figure directly embodies this promise of salvation. The imposing scale and elaborate construction of the present sculpture indicate that it was conceived as a substantial altar image. Rising to 137 cm overall, the elongated standing figure is elevated above a lotus pedestal and billowing cloud base, while the expansive pierced aureole creates a commanding vertical composition. The cloud-form support and raigo-in gesture directly evoke Amida’s descent from the Western Pure Land, while the jewel-set byakugo and nikkeishu emphasize his transcendent nature. Most striking is the intricately carved aureole, whose dense field of scrolling flames gives visual form to the radiant light associated with Amida and forms a dramatic, almost weightless contrast to the substantial gilt figure. Auction comparison: Compare a related, larger gilt-lacquered wood figure of Amida Nyorai, dated to the first half of the Edo period, 180 cm high, at Christie’s, Art d’Asie, 10 December 2020, Paris, lot 65 (sold for EUR 52,500 or approx. EUR 62,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Compare a closely related gilt-wood figure of Amida of near-identical size (135 cm), at Zacke, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 4 June 2021, Vienna, lot 127 (sold for EUR 32,800 or approx. EUR 43,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).