A RARE GILT-BRONZE STANDING FIGURE OF MAITREYA MING DYNASTY

standing with hands held in abhaya and varada mudra, gestures of reassurance and bestowal of charity, his body dressed in a long robe falling from the shoulders in undulating folds, the face with a compassionate expression, with an urna on the forehead and hair swept over the mound of the usnisha, wood stand (2)

Yamanaka Shokai, Osaka.
Acquired from the above during the Taisho period (1912-1926).
Thereafter by descent in the family of the present owner.

Figure is in overall good condition. There is light wear and rubbing to the gilding, particularly on the face, visible in the catalogue illustration. There is an inscription underneath the bottom edge of the robe at the back apochryphally dating the figure to the 4th year of the Datong Reign period. The figure's left foot has been broken off and soldered back. The left foot is slightly bigger and longer suggesting it may be a later replacement. The tip of the nose is slightly corroded.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present figure is stylistically related to the well-known gilt-bronze figure in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dated 486 AD, compare Denise Patry Leidy, Notes on a Buddha Maitreya sculpture dated 486 in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Oriental Art Magazine, vol. LV no. 3, 2005/6, pp. 22-32. A smaller gilt-bronze bronze figure of Maitreya of similar style but dating to the Yongle period of the Ming dynasty, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 7th October 2006, lot 803;  compare a larger, closely related Ming dynasty bronze figure of Maitreya sold in these rooms, 21st September 2007, lot 24.