The Bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future
Unknown Artist
11th century
Medium
Copper alloy with gilding and color
Dimensions
H. 26 in. (66 cm); W. 8 1/4 in. (20.9 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture & Period
Nepal · Thakuri period
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1982
Accession Number
1982.220.12
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold *The Bodhisattva Mya, the Buddha of Future*, a stunning 11th-century copper alloy sculpture from Nepal's Thakuri period, standing gracefully at 26 inches tall. Crafted by an artist, this gilded figure captures Maitreya, the prophesied future Buddha in Buddhist tradition, who will descend to earth when the Dharma is forgotten, ushering in a new era of enlightenment. His serene expression, adorned with vibrant colors and intricate detailing, embodies compassion and hope, inviting devotees to contemplate the cyclical nature of time and salvation. During the Thakuri dynasty (c. 9th–12th ce...