New York, NY. By Appointment

Maitreya

Gilt Copper

16th Century

Tibet

Height: 9½″, 24.2 cm

Maitreya is the Bodhisattva of loving kindness and the Buddha of the next future. He is seated in dhyanasana on a double lotus with his hands in the dharmacakra mudra. There are long stemmed lotuses that support the water pot that bloom at his shoulders. He wears an elaborate tiara and a large stupa sits atop the jatamukata, (long plaited hair). Maitreya has a downward gaze with elongated eyes and bow-shaped mouth. His chest and neck are festooned with jeweled necklaces and extravagant lotus earrings complement his ears.