Prakhon Chai: Four-Armed Maitreya

THAILAND, Buriram, Prakhon Chai

The statue is one of many Avalokitesvara and Maitreya representation unearthed in the Prakhon Chai region of Buriram. The area, formerly under Khmer influence and named Muang Pae, also produced rare statues of the Buddha, engaged in ascetic practice. The high topknot and stupa-like hairstyle, together with the mudras, suggest this standing figure is of Maitreya. It was created during the period when belief in ascetic Bodhisattvas was popular in Southeast Asia, mainly between the 7th and 9th centuries. The statue was made by the lost-wax method; the silvery luster of its surface was achieved by casting metal with a high tin content.
The figure wears a headdress with a stupa, placed in its half arch. The round face and large downcast eyes give the statue an introspective and serene demeanor. Standing with legs slightly apart in an elegant pose, Maitreya’s slight frame supports four arms which diverge at the elbows. The graceful hands all form mudras in vivid detail and graceful unity. The upper torso is exposed while the lower body is covered with a dhoti. The short garment is held in place by a cord that is knotted at the front. Details of the ruffled hem are visible on the statue’s right side.