Height: 5 3/4" Width: 3 1/2" Ming Dynasty Chinese Tibetan gilt bronze & stones inlaid Bodhisattva Buddha figure of Maitreya, the bodhisattva of loving kindness and the coming buddha of the future aeon - currently residing in the Tushita heaven.Beautiful and peaceful, Maitreya is with one face and two hands performing the Dharma Teaching mudra gesture at the heart while holding the stems of utpala flowers blossoming at left ears supporting on the right a water flask and on the left a Dharma Wheel. Wearing gold and jewel ornaments, a crown, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and the like, he wears various flowing silk scarves and lower robes; seated in the vajra posture on a moon disc and lotus blossom. The Buddha adorned with turquoise stone inlaid. Underside with incised quatrefoil flori-form petal visvavajra mark surrounding the centralized DaiJi. Extensive trace of gilt and blue pigment on hair.PROVENANCE: From The Collections of Mike and Annie Gaither, US Navy 1959-1982. LAUREN Galleries honored to be once again offer the heirloom collections from Mike and Annie Gaither.With a sense of duty for his country Mike joined the US Navy in 1959 the idea was to see the world and obtain an education that would propel his future. The opportunity to become part of the submarine fleet was compelling and once involved it became his career path of choice. In 1964 he married his lifelong partner Annie Nix. And to this day they are still happily married.While in the Navy he specialized in communication and electronic repair and was able to obtain the rank of Radioman Chief Petty Officer during his time in the service he supervised crews of up to 25 in high speed communications, repair and records and Department Chief coordinating 8 repair divisions. Analyzing commands to discover systemic difficulties and training to resolve difficulties. Additional fields include intercultural and race relations, Drug and Alcohol training.With a long career in the Navy his desire to visit many foreign countries was fulfilled.His desire to be a leader in the open markets directed his path into the pastoral leadership where he was able to train and work with people in Italy Guam Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands, Republic of Palau, with visits to such countries Germany, and Asian Countries. With the opportunity to be in such places also provided the knowledge and ability to obtain collectibles from the area. Reaching a point where one feels that it is time to downsize and realign their assets this has opened the door for others to add these items into their private collection. The quality is exceptional, pristine and highly sought after. The Collections of Mike & Annie Gaither presented and offered up to auctions from Lot-73 through Lot-88. Condition Over all in EXCELLENT condition, with normal anomalies in nature, sign of stressed surface, minor scratch & dent. Surface traced wear and or declined to gilding; Normal, considering ages and wears. All lots are sold as is and where is. Lauren Galleries provides condition reports upon request to aide in your bidding decision. No statement regarding age, condition, kind, value, or quality of a lot, whether made orally at the auction or at any other time, or in writing in this catalog or elsewhere, shall be construed to be an express or implied warranty, representation, or assumption of liability. All sales are final, Lauren Galleries does not give refunds based on condition. Lauren Galleries does not perform any shipping or packing services. We do have a list of suggested shippers who gladly provide quotes prior to your bidding. Please visit our webpage for a list of recommended shippers. "