Four-Armed Maitreya

CHINA

Maitreya is seated in full lotus position on a double lotus throne, on the lower petals of the throne the Bodhisattva’s mantra is written. A seated tutelary Buddha is on the front of the three-leaf crown. The lower right hand holds a vase and there is a small scripture container in the other. The upper arms are raised to gesture gracefully. Broad shoulders taper to a slim waist, below which the only indications of a garment are shallow incision lines representing folds. Some of the figure’s stylistic features are reminiscent of Swat. Four-armed Maitreyas are to be seen in early Tibet and South Asia though statues featuring a Buddha on the crown are mostly Avalokitesvara.