Seated Bodhisattva Maitreya
Asian Art
This sixth-century seated Maitreya is the earliest Chinese Buddhist sculpture in the Museum's collection. Probably intended for private devotion, the diminutive image of the bodhisattva seated in meditation (the sculpture's throne is now missing) is one of the few Maitreya bronzes attributed to the Northern Zhou dynasty. As part of the short-lived Northern and Southern dynasties, the Northern Zhou ruled an area of north-central China. Because of the political instability and the frequent wars that plagued the dynasty, Buddhist cults promising rebirth in paradise became increasingly popular. The popular bodhisattva Maitreya, as described in the Lotus Sutra, presided over a paradise for reborn believers.
MEDIUM
Bronze with traces of gilding
DATES
557-581
DYNASTY
Northern Zhou Dynasty
PERIOD
Northern Zhou Dynasty
DIMENSIONS
9 3/4 x 5 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (24.8 x 14 x 5.7 cm)
(show scale)
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
ACCESSION NUMBER
88.93
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the Asian Art Council
RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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CAPTION
Seated Bodhisattva Maitreya, 557-581. Bronze with traces of gilding, 9 3/4 x 5 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (24.8 x 14 x 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Asian Art Council, 88.93. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.93_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 88.93_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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