cast seated in pralambapadasana on a waisted embellished pedestal with the feet resting on a lotus, the hands held in dharmachakramudra, wearing a flowing sash and layered dhoti with incised foliate borders, adorned with beaded chains, the serene face, neck, hands and feet highlighted with cold gilding, the hair drawn into a double-knot surmounted by a flaming jewel, fronted by a foliate tiara. Sorrounded with various figures of Buddha and mythical beasts. Quoted from Sotheby's catalog note: "according to Buddhist tradition, Maitreya is the successor to the Buddha of the present age. He will appear in the future, at a time when the Buddha's teachings have been forgotten, and reintroduce Buddha's teachings to the world." H:46CM W:31CM