Western Tibet, possibly Guge kingdom, 16th century

Inlaid with silver eyes and copper lips, this fine bronze figure of Maitreya bears stylistic similarity to works associated with the ancient Kingdom of Guge in Western Tibet. Compare with a bronze sculpture of Vajradhara at the Rubin Museum of Art (HAR item no. 65759) which displays similar facial features originating in early Kashmiri prototypes, most notably the high arching eyebrows, wide almond-shaped eyes with protruding lids, and small bow-shaped lips. Compare the thin, tightly rendered petals of the double lotus base with a Guge Kingdom bronze figure of Nairatmya from a private collection (HAR item no. 30555).