Sino-Tibetan Gilt Bronze Figure of Maitreya

A Sino-Tibetan gilt bronze figure of Maitreya Bodhisattva. Maitreya  is known as the future Buddha. It resides in heaven  and will descend to earth to teach the new law (darhma) when Guatama Buddha’s teachings have expired. Maitreya is derived from Sanskrit meaning friendliness.

A  figure seated crosslegged atop a stupa and holding both hands in Mudra gestures.