Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 15th to 16th century CE. A striking gilt copper statue of the Eleven-faced Lokeshvara, a universal form of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. This bodhisattva is also known as the "Lord Who Gazes Down At The World," and often portrayed as both male or female and embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. The bodhisattva is upright with a repousse skirt flowing about the hollow base. Circular impressions across the garment and chest are inlaid with turquoise and red stones or painted with green, red pigments to highlight the lavish jewelry across the body. Multiple arms extend freely from the shoulders: on the left the lower hands form mudra gestures, the upper holds a beaded necklace, and two hands are clasped in front. The two hemispherical wing-like panels feature low relief arms on the interior curve and the outer peripheries are adorned with five registers of numerous hands. The body supports the spire of eleven heads. The expressions are serene on all but one; the second from the top forms a grimace with bared teeth. The entire statue is painted with vibrant hues of blue, red, and glimmering gilt! Size: 9" L x 2" W x 11.8" H (22.9 cm x 5.1 cm x 30 cm); 14.5" H (36.8 cm) on included custom stand.

The reason for this proliferation of heads and arms? One Buddhist story tells of how Avalokiteshvara swore never to rest until they had freed all the sentient beings on earth from the cycle of death and rebirth. However, the multitude of beings requiring saving overwhelmed the bodhisattva, and so one of the Buddhas gave Avalokiteshvara multiple heads with which to hear the cries of the suffering. Avalokiteshvara heard their cries and reached out to help, but his arms shattered, and so the same Buddha granted thousands of arms to Avalokiteshvara, which is symbolized by the projecting panel of dozens of hands and arms! Avalokiteshvara is the patron bodhisattva of Tibet as their main a protector who represents ultimate altruism.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Mackay collection, London, UK

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#164530

Left wing panel is loose. Top three heads are slightly loose. Chipping and fading of pigments. Indentations to heads. Loss and missing arms and cloth drapery on right side with perforation to shoulder. Minor perforations to top of heads. Nice patina and large areas of gilt.