Avalokiteshvara – Four-armed Vajrayana Bodhisattva in ormolu bronze (Nepal, Newar) – lot 444

This four-armed Vajrayana bodhisattva is an authentic Nepalese bronze sculpture from a Newar workshop in the Kathmandu Valley, dating from the 18th–19th century. The statue is cast in a copper-tin bronze alloy and was originally fire-gilded; remnants of this gilding are still visible in protected zones and confirmed by microscopic examination.

The figure is seated in a serene lotus posture on a separately cast lotus base, a construction characteristic of traditional Newar bronzes. The proportions are harmonious and the face is serenely modeled, with natural wear and softened contours indicating long-term ritual use.

Iconographically, it is a Vajrayana bodhisattva, most likely a regional form of Avalokiteshvara. The four arms bear ritual attributes including an oil lamp (dīpa), a lotus bud (padma), a flame-like emblem, and a small skull bowl (kapāla). The presence of the kapāla clearly places the statue within a Buddhist tantric framework and excludes a Hindu identification. Within the Newar tradition, such non-canonical combinations occur more frequently as local variants. Technically, the statue displays all the characteristics of pre-industrial production: hollow lost-wax casting, manual finishing, natural oxidation, and a consistent patina buildup. There are no indications of modern restorations or artificial aging. Dimensions: H 34.5 × W 23.5 cm Weight: 4.4 kg

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