STATUETTE DE MAITREYA EN ALLIAGE DE CUIVRE TIBET, XVIE/XVIIE SIÈCLE Himalayan Art Resources item no. 4635 18 cm (7 1/8 in.) high Footnotes: A COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF MAITREYA TIBET, 16TH/17TH CENTURY 西藏 十六/十七世紀 彌勒銅像 Provenance: With Claude de Marteau, Brussels, by 1970s Maitreya's prescribed posture and right hand gesture correspond to the belief that he will perpetually teach at his residence in Tushita heaven until it is time for him to descend into this world as the next Buddha. His left hand resting on his knee is unusual, though shared by an example sold at Nagel, Stuttgart, 12 November 2012, lot 887. Also compare with a dark brown patinated figure seated on an elevated platform in the Tibet House Museum, New Delhi (HAR 71788) as well as another image sold at Bonhams, New York, 14 March 2016, lot 42. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com