A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF MAITREYA CHINA, QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

the finely cast standing figure portrayed with hands in vitarkamudra, the right raised to the chest, the left hand at one side, clad in dhoti and overskirt with incised hems, adorned with jewelry and fluttering scarves, the serene face framed by a jeweled tiara and ribbons, flanked by lotus blossoms supporting a wheel and water flask

There is some wear to the the gilding and most of the original inlay is lost. The figure stands on a later wood base and is in good overall condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Maitreya is a bodhisattva who will return to earth as a messianic Buddha in the future.  He is regarded as the successor of Shakyamuni and will come back to earth in an age when Buddha's teachings have been completely forgotten, and reintroduce Buddha's true teachings to the world once more. 

Figures such as the present lot would have been part of a set of nine, depicting the Eight Great Bodhisattvas with either Shakyamuni or Amitabha Buddha in the middle. For an example of a set of eight figures see Buddhist Art from Rehol, Tibetan Buddhist Images and Ritual Objects from the Qing Dynasty Summer Palace at Chengde, Taipei, 1999, pp. 770-73.

Himalayan Art Resources item no. 12842.