Footnotes

銅鎏金彌勒菩薩像
應為索南堅贊之作
藏中 約1430-1450年

Created during a period of refinement in Tibetan art history, this gilt bronze sculpture of Maitreya bears the hallmarks of a recently identified master sculptor, Sonam Gyaltsen, who was patronized around 1430 by the Sakya school and the Rinpungpa dynasty centered in Shigatse (cf. Watt in Bonhams, New York, 19 March 2018, lot 3033).

Many stylistic details of this elegant work compare with a One-Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara sculpture with a dedicatory inscription naming Sonam Gyaltsen (ibid). The physique is lithe, the face has a quiet benevolence, and the crown rests above a similar prominent fringe of curls. Also, the same technique and design were used to chase the floral patterns within the lower garment and bottom edge of the base. The shape and execution of Maitreya's regalia are characteristic of Sonam Gyaltsen's work, consisting of five-lobed, pointed leaves inset with turquoise repeating throughout his crown, armbands, and on the tassel before his ankles. This is also true for the delicate beaded girdle with inset turquoise pendants seen from the rear. Furthermore, the treatment of the lotus base, with plump petals terminating in curlicue tips at the front and simplified flattened petals at the back, is consistent with the inscribed Avalokiteshvara, and the present bronze's base plate is gilded which also seems to be a feature of Sonam Gyaltsen's work.

The fluid modeling of Maitreya's dhoti, with dressy folds naturalistically draped across the base and over it ever so slightly, attest a master's hand. Compare the dhoti's decorative scheme, with clover-like flowers sparsely incised over his legs and more densely arranged along the hems, with a gilt bronze Amitayus attributed to Sonam Gyaltsen sold at Bonhams, Hong Kong, 2 October 2018, lot 44. Also see a related Maitreya sold at Bonhams, Hong Kong, 7 October 2019, lot 932.