Bodhisattva Maitreya
(India, Nepal, and Tibet)
The elaborate craftsmanship of this sculpture exemplifies the high standard to which Indian, Nepalese, and Tibetan artists aspired when creating a devotional image. Maitreya, a bodhisattva, is the Buddha of the future who dwells in a Buddhist heaven. Here, wearing a strikingly intricate headdress, Maitreya rests on a multi-layered lotus pedestal, gazing outward through eyes inlaid with silver. Copper and silver inlay enhance the jewelry that adorns his body and the textile pattern that covers his garment.
The sculpture was made for the monk Sadhurakshita, whose name is inscribed on the base.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
John and Berthe Ford, Baltimore; given to Walters Art Museum, 2009.
Exhibitions
2001-2003 | Desire and Devotion: Art from India, Nepal, and Tibet in the John and Berthe Ford Collection. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara; Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque; Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham; Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong. |
Geographies
India, Bihar (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 7 5/16 × W: 5 9/16 × D: 3 1/4 in. (18.5 × 14.1 × 8.2 cm); Statue H: 4 13/16 × W: 3 1/4 × D: 2 1/8 in. (12.2 × 8.3 × 5.4 cm); Base H: 3 1/8 × W: 5 9/16 × D: 3 1/4 in. (8 × 14.1 × 8.2 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of John and Berthe Ford, 2009
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
54.3080