Beschreibung:

Lot details Japan, 19th century Ornately crafted, the black-lacquered exterior with gilt metal fittings, with three drawers and two sets of doors, the inner doors with thin lining of silk to enable a respectful view of the Buddha, opening to reveal a beautiful shrine with rich gold lacquer and a standing figure of Amida in front of three miniature hanging scroll paintings depicting Amida in the center and two praying figures. The interior of the shrine is further decorated with carved relief panels with ho-o (phoenixes) and with two open-worked metal lanterns suspended from either side of the Buddha figure. HEIGHT 137 cm Condition: Very good condition. Some scattered losses here and there. Presents beautifully. Provenance: From a French private collection. A Butsudan (仏壇, lit. "Buddhist altar"), sometimes spelled Butudan, is a shrine commonly found in temples and homes in Japanese Buddhist cultures. A butsudan is either a defined, often ornate platform or simply a wooden cabinet sometimes crafted with doors that enclose and protect a Gohonzon or religious icon, typically a statue or painting of a Buddha or Bodhisattva, or a calligraphic mandala scroll. The Butsudan's primary use is for paying respects to the Buddha, as well as to family members who have died. Auction comparison: Compare a very large Butsudan, lacking the interior figures and paintings, at Lempertz, Asian Art, 27 June 2020, Cologne, lot 42 (sold for 4,750 EUR).