Page 20 - Bonhams Image of Devotion Hong Kong December 2, 2021

Identified by the miniature stupa in front of his ushnisha, this handsome figure
represents Maitreya, whose name derives from the Sanskrit word maitri, meaning
‘benevolence’ or ‘loving kindness’. He is worshiped as both a bodhisattva in the
present and the Buddha of the Future. According to the Buddhist worldview, our
world degenerates and rejuvenates in a cyclical manner. Succeeding Shakyamuni
(the present Buddha), Maitreya will arrive during a state of chaos and moral decline
to reintroduce Buddhist teachings to humankind. Here, Maitreya is shown in
monastic robes, with his hands in the gesture of furthering the Dharma, indicating
his role as a teaching Buddha in Ketumati, the earthly paradise where he will
reside upon descending from Tushita Heaven. After his arrival, the world will
eventually become a blissful place, free of crime, evil, famine, and sickness.

This bronze image is closely related to three other sculptures from a Confession
Buddha set of almost identical size, including a Shuradatta at the Los Angeles
County Museum of Art (Pal, Art of Nepal, 1985, p.117, no.S38), a Suvikranta sold
at Sotheby’s, New York, 16 March 2016, lot 726, and a third Confession Buddha
sold at Sotheby’s, New York, 24 September 1997, lot 94, all with identifying
Tibetan inscriptions at the back of their cushions. These four figures are incredibly
similar in physiognomy, sharing slopped shoulders, narrow waists, and robust,
rounded limbs. Their robes are also rendered in identical fashion, especially the
layering of thin garments, indicated by a densely striped hem on top of a plain
one, as well as the naturalistic fan-shaped pleats gathered in front of their legs.
Although the cushion below Maitreya is slightly thinner than in the other three
examples, there is little doubt that these four bronzes were created by the same
workshop. As a central subject, the Maitreya is of superior quality, with more
sensitive modeling of his face, a better proportioned dome, and a remarkably
sweet, tiny stupa in his hair.

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