Bronze figure "Avalokiteshvara" Himalaya, 18th century

Gilded bronze figure. It shows the image of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, also known as the Guanyin with eleven faces, a thousand arms and infinite compassion. She is shown standing on a large rectangular pedestal with relief decorations, on top of which stands a smaller, circular pedestal decorated with lotus petals. Her body is fully clothed in traditional garments and long ribbons. It rests with its legs and trunk straight on the pedestal. Its eleven crowned heads are arranged in overlapping rows, decreasing in size as they ascend, and all show a serene expression, with half-open eyes, a compassionate gaze and large ears adorned with earrings. Their six front arms are arranged, two with palms together at chest height, and the other four bent and carrying traditional ritual elements. A multitude of straight arms emerge from her back like outstretched wings. The image is remarkable for the delicacy of the faces and the meticulousness with which the details have been executed. 

Height: 29 cm

Weight: 1.486 gr

Provenance:

- German private collection.