Hardwood, lacquer coating and gilding. Burma, 19th cent. until after 1900


A very expressive and stylistically unusual sculptural rendition depicting the Buddha of future ages, referred to as Maitreya in Sanskrit and Metteya in Pali (Burma). He is the last of the five earthly Buddhas and his name translates to „Maitri“ or „benevolence“. Characteristic for him is his bear footed sitting position on a lotus pedestal, known has bhadrasana. Different variations of the hand position are common for this depiction, often the „turning the wheel of Dharma“. This sculpture, however, offers the abhaya mudra, the gesture of divine reassurance and protection, while the hand facing downwards shows the varada mudra, the wish fulfilling gesture. The facial expression is particularly striking. It complies with the Ava style, marked by high arched eyebrows which flow into an unusually narrow nose bridge. The wide and curved eyes on the other hand, are large and prominent inlays. The area roofing the head is almost flat, with an ushnisha and a (detachable) lotus bud resembling a stupa. The entirely leaf-gilded sculpture (Burmese gold is known for its beautiful and powerful tone) shows distinct signs of age, but the lotus pedestal may have been repainted.

HEIGHT 118,2 CM
From an Austrian private collection