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Bodhisattva, possibly Maitreya

first quarter of the 8th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 245
This image of a standing male is difficult to identify securely, but the raised hand gesturing in exposition and the lowered hand granting boons suggests he is a Buddhist savior. He may represent Maitreya, the messianic Buddha of the Future; the headdress is perhaps intended to evoke a stupa, his identifier.

cat. no. 143

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bodhisattva, possibly Maitreya
  • Date: first quarter of the 8th century
  • Culture: Northeastern Thailand
  • Medium: Copper alloy with tin
  • Dimensions: H. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm); W. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm); D. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 1989
  • Object Number: 1989.151
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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