A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF MAITREYA, YONGLE SIX-CHARACTER MARK AND PERIOD 明永樂 鎏金銅彌勒菩薩坐像 《大明永樂年施》楷書橫款 China, Yongle period (1403-1424) The finely cast and richly gilt bodhisattva is depicted cross-legged in vajraparyankasana, with hands in dharmachakra mudra position for teaching. Adorned in a long flowing robe draped around the arms and legs, with a well-defined waist and broad shoulders, the aristocratic face displays a downward benevolent gaze and smile. The hair is coiled up in a chignon, with lotus flower stems curled between his thumbs and forefingers. A Ghanta (an auspicious bell, welcoming divinity and dispelling evil) rests on the lotus flower head on his left shoulder. The bodhisattva's jewellery comprises a magnificent crown, an elaborate tripartite necklace, wheel-shaped earrings attached to elongated earlobes, armbands, a jewelled girdle, anklets, bracelets, and foot jewellery. The six-character mark ‘Da Ming Yong Le Nian Shi’ is engraved on the upper surface of the waisted lotus pedestal, with the base unsealed. H: 19cm