A gilt bronze figure of Maitreya

TIBET, 16TH/17TH CENTURY

Details

A gilt bronze figure of Maitreya
Tibet, 16th/17th century
Seated in dhyanasana on a double-lotus base with his hands in dharmachakramudra, clad in flowing robes and adorned with beaded jewelry, with streaming sashes draped over the elbows and a lotus supporting the water pot blooming at the shoulder, the face with bow-shaped mouth and elongated eyes centered by a raised urna and flanked by large lotiform earrings, crowned with an elaborate tiara elegantly tied at the back, the hair in a tall chignon topped with a flaming jewel, the base sealed and incised with a gilt double-vajra
22 1/8 in. (56.3 cm.) high

Provenance

Private collection, New York, acquired in London in the early 1960s

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Lot Essay

The 17th century marked a pinnacle in Tibetan Buddhist art and culture. Boldly cast and deeply modeled, the figure balances impressive scale with the sense of serenity more typical of smaller bronzes. The deeply pleated robes and abundant ornaments inlaid with turquoise stones lend gravitas to the figure and enhance the vitality of the meditative seat. Elegant details are testament to the artists' skill, including chakras incised in the upturned soles of the feet, the torso gently swayed towards the left, the finely modeled hands poised before the chest, and the fish shaped eyes that maintain the internal focus while also engaging the viewer. As the Buddha of the Future, Maitreya sits blissfully awaiting entry into the earthly realm.

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