The octagonal bowl is moulded with a flaming mandorla resting on a lotus head enclosing the characters 'a mi tuo fo' to each side and resting on a spreading stem foot.
7³⁄₄ in. (19.6 cm.) high

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Lot Essay

The Chinese characters 'a mi tuo fo' can be translated as 'Amitabha' in Sanskrit. Amitabha, the Buddha of 'Infininte Light', is one of the five Dhyani Buddas representing universal divine principals or forces to meditate on. On the present stem cup, Amitabha himself is not explicitly depicted but is represented by his name in Chinese characters. Buddhist deities are ordinarily shown seated upon a lotus base and often framed by a flaming mandorla to emphaise the religous significance of the figure. In this case, the words 'e mi tuo fo' clearly provide a substitute and encourage the viewer to further contemplate the spirit of the deity.