A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF MAITREYA


NORTHEASTERN INDIA, PALA PERIOD, 11TH/12TH CENTURYHimalayan Art Resources item no.61747 8.3 cm (3 1/4 in.) high
|Nestled within his headdress is a domed stupa that identifies this delightful figure as Maitreya. Maitreya is the embodiment of perfected loving kindness. He sits in 'royal ease', smiling at the viewer. His hands come together to further the Dharma, which causes lotuses to bloom and nuzzle by his shoulders. As the Future Buddha, Maitreya preaches in his heavenly abode until it is time to usher in the enlightened salvation of all beings. The sculpture is one of comparatively few Pala sculptures to survive with its gilding. The fine, rounded lotus petals and intricate regalia exemplify the late Pala style's gem-like refinement. A closely related Kurukulla, formerly of the Nyingjei Lam Collection, was sold at Sotheby's, Hong Kong, 3 October 2017, lot 3106. Published John Siudmak Asian Art, Indian and Himalayan Art, London, 2016, p.41, no.33. Provenance Private European Collection 銅鎏金彌勒佛像 印度東北部，帕拉時期，十一/十二世紀 喜馬拉雅藝術資源網61747號高8.3釐米（3 1/4英吋） 500,000-700,000港元 憑藉人物髮髻上的佛塔可知此尊造像所塑造的是彌勒佛。彌勒佛是完美慈愛的化身，此處呈「遊戲」坐姿，笑對眾生，雙手結說法印，蓮花綻放於雙肩。彌勒即未來佛，於兜率天修行說法，等待下凡救度世人。 此尊是較為少見的帕拉時期鎏金造像。其雅致圓渾的蓮瓣及精細的盛裝是帕拉晚期風格的特點。一尊菩薩道舊藏的作明佛母與之關係密切，後於蘇富比售出，香港，2017年10月3日，拍品3106號。 著錄 John Siudmak Asian Art，《印度與喜馬拉雅藝術》，倫敦，2016年，頁41，編號33。 來源 歐洲私人收藏