A PARTIALLY COLD-GILDED BRONZE FIGURE OF MAITREYA CHINA, QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

cast seated in pralambapadasana on a waisted pedestal with the feet resting on a lotus, the hands held in dharmachakramudra, wearing a flowing sash and layered dhoti with incised foliate borders, adorned with beaded chains, the serene face, neck, hands and feet highlighted with cold gilding, the hair drawn into a double-knot surmounted by a flaming jewel, fronted by a foliate tiara

Acquired from an estate in Alameda, California.

According to Buddhist tradition, Maitreya is the successor to the Buddha of the present age. He will appear in the future, at a time when the Buddha's teachings have been forgotten, and reintroduce Buddha's teachings to the world.

A similar 18th century figure was sold in our Amsterdam rooms, 21st November 2007, lot 202.