figure
- Museum number
- 1913,0513.1
- Description
-
Figure. Crowned and highly adorned image, probably of the Bodhisattva (future Buddha) Maitreya, seated on a high, elaborate throne. His right hand is over his right knee and the left is cupped in front of his abdomen. Made of gilded, cast bronze and inlaid with glass pieces. There is a flat space at the back for an inscription, which is blank, and two lugs for holding an umbrella that is now missing.
- Production date
- 19thC
- Dimensions
-
Height: 16 centimetres (approximately)
- Curator's comments
-
At first glance, this figure appears to depict the Buddha Gotama seated in bhumisparsa mudra, signalling his enlightenment by touching the earth. However, the position of this figure's left and hand and the figure's lack of a flame radiance or head bump evidencing enlightenment (ushnisha) above the head suggests the statue is not of the Buddha. It depicts instead the Bodhisattva Maitreya, who will be the next Buddha to come to the earth in the future. The princely crown and adornments worn by the image refer to Maitreya's exalted but still worldly status. The left hand is cupped as it originally held a ritual fan (talavanta), a flat fan on a stick which monks hold before their faces while speaking or chanting during ceremonies.
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A similar figure is 1894,0926.12.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Good. Some gilding worn away, especially on the face. Missing the fan once held by the statue.
- Acquisition date
- 1913
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1913,0513.1