This statue depicts Maitreya, who in Buddhist iconography is regarded as the future Buddha.
He is shown seated on a throne, wearing the crown and full ornaments of a bodhisattva. The figure sits frontally, with the feet resting on a small lotus pedestal in Bhadrasana. The hands are raised before the chest in Dharmachakra Mudra, the gesture associated with setting the Wheel of Teaching in motion. Flanking the shoulders are two lotus blossoms whose stems are held in the hands. The facial expression is calm and balanced.
Behind the figure rises a torana, an arched structure with mythical creatures, floral forms, and ornamental details, fitted into the back of the throne. Above the figure hangs a small, finely decorated parasol; at its top sits a drop-shaped crystal. These elements create an architectural frame commonly used in depictions of high-ranking bodhisattvas.
The garment, throne, and parasol are adorned with finely executed filigree work. The wires are shaped into spirals whose inner fields are filled with small arched elements that form a uniform ornamental pattern. Set stones in various colors accentuate the filigree surfaces. The torana behind the figure is cast and subsequently chased, presenting an ornamental relief surface that is gilded and partly painted.
Shanta Shakya is an artist from Patan trained in the filigree technique. In his work, he combines traditional forms with a careful execution of ornamental detail. For this Maitreya representation, he chose a densely worked filigree garment and corresponding elements on the throne, whose linear patterns highlight the figure within its architectural setting.
Copper statue cast using the traditional lost-wax technique, decorated with fine filigree ornaments, gilded and silvered, adorned with colored stones and lapis lazuli. The face is set in gold. The background is cast in copper, gilded, and partly painted.
NOTE
The facial painting is a cold gold application and water-soluble.
Yala Craft by Shanta is an Asian company based in Germany. I sell my traditional Buddhist sculpture art, created in my own workshop in Nepal.