Statue

Life size statue in extremely high relief of Maitreya against a great leaf-shaped aureole with flame border and two small attendant bodhisattva figures. On the reverse of the aureole are outlined fifty eight small Buddhist figures each with its name, Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna, the Twin Buddhas, appear at the top. In the center near the bottom is an inscription giving the date of the dedication by Zhang Qianbai of the village of Shanyang as 516 CE and the purpose of the erection of the statue which was to expound the Buddhist faith. There is an inscription on the front and sides of the base as well. The statue is made of painted grey limestone with gilding on the face and neck. See 2009-11-1 for a rubbing of the back of the piece with a commentary by Duanfang, 端方 (1861 - 1911) who used to own it.