Himalayas, 7th - 8th Century, Representation Of Bodhisttava Maitreya, Bronze And Silver

Bronze representation of the bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha of the future

Himalayan region, Swat Valley
7th - 8th century

The bodhisattva is represented seated in vajraparyanka mudra (diamond position), soles of the feet exposed, resting on a high shaped base half-sphere, the base decorated with large lotus leaves. He is dressed in a simple dothi with a drape reminiscent of Gandhara statuary, the latter surrounded by a fabric, sections of the garment spreading out in front of him. The arms detached from the body, the right hand in the Abhaya Mudra position (absence of fear), palm turned towards the listener, the left hand gripping the kundika (ritual vase) filled with the nectar of eternity. Adorned with bracelets on the arms and wrists as well as the Brahmanical cord and a heavy necklace. The face is characterized by large almond-shaped eyes inlaid with silver framing an aquiline nose, the latter positioned above a small mouth with full, Gupta-inspired lips. The urna in the middle of the forehead materialized by a silver circle, the ears with long distended lobes decorated with large flower-shaped earrings, the head decorated with a tiara with triple florets, the hair treated with back of the subject in long braids.

The Swat Valley, in the North-West of Pakistan, is located on the ancient Silk Road, at the crossroads of the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. The invasion of the Hephthalite Huns in the Kabul valley in the 6th century devastated the Buddhist community of Gandhara, thus putting a halt to the production of images of the Buddha. Buddhism, however, continued to flourish in the more remote Swat valley until the 10th century, thus contributing to the perpetuation of Buddhist art in Western Asia. The distinctive aesthetic of images from the Swat Valley with Gupta, Kouchan and Gandhara influences gradually blended into the style of neighboring Kashmir where subsequently the art of medieval Kashmir would inspire the art of western Tibet.

Bodhisattvas, in the tradition of Mahayana Buddhism, are spiritual beings filled with compassion for all suffering creatures and have taken a vow not to access Supreme Enlightenment as long as there remains a single being to save.
The bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha of the future cosmic period (kalpa), resides in the Heaven of the so-called Satisfied Gods (Tushita) from where he awaits the moment to descend here below and establish the earthly paradise where all living beings will end. by becoming Buddhas.

Bronze and silver inlays
Wear and tear
12.3 x 7 cm
European private collection

Contact us: culturesetcivilisatioins@orange.fr