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Maitreya Buddha
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Maitreya Buddha
CHINA; Northern Wei dynasty (386–534), dated 477; Gilt bronze; H: 140 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
This sculpture is one of the few examples of large-scale bronze Buddha statues from the early period of China. An inscription identifies the figure as Maitreya, and dates it to 477. The Buddha has a high usnisa sculpted in distinct whorls. The Buddha’s arms and over-sized hands are open in welcome as the figure stands with legs astride a reversed lotus pedestal. The strong body is clearly outlined through the material of the monastic robes. The treatment of the robe is distinctively patterned and shows the influence of the Mathura style from the Gupta period (circa 320–550). |
