Dalle ceneri delle residenze estive di Qianlong il Buddha della vita eterna 'rinasce' al Castello Sforzesco

Abstract

In this article a Chinese 'liuli' statue, found in the Raccolte Civiche d’Arte Applicata of Milan, is thoroughly examined. A similar piece is conserved in the British Museum, while just a head is on display in the Victoria & Albert Museum. The figure represented by these ceramics is Amitāyus, the Long life Buddha, who can be recognized by the kalaśa vase held in both hands in the meditation posture, whilst seated in the lotus position. This architectural figure can be found on different temples built under the Qianlong reign within the imperial Summer Resorts around Beijing. In particular, the tiles which cover the walls of the Zhihuihai are the only artefacts that show an iconography identical to the statues found in Europe.