Chinese Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) with a thousand arms and multiple heads – Qing period LOT 127

Estimated value: €1,500 – €1,800

Bronze statue of Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) in her esoteric form with multiple heads and a thousand arms, an iconography representing omnipresent compassion and the ability to be active in all directions simultaneously. The statue is cast in bronze and displays remnants of original mercury fire gilding, visible as gold residues deeply embedded in the metal in sheltered zones. This type of gilding and the wear pattern indicate pre-industrial manufacturing and long-term religious use.

The stacked heads symbolize expanded consciousness, while the fan-shaped arrangement of the arms is characteristic of Chinese esoteric Buddhist representations from the Qing dynasty. The lotus base and the flame-shaped halo align with classical Chinese temple iconography. The surface displays a natural, weathered patina with uniform aging, without traces of modern interventions. The underside is closed and shows consistent oxidation consistent with historically crafted ritual bronzes. With its slender proportions and refined modeling, it is an authentic devotional statue, intended for use in a religious context and not for decorative export. Dimensions: H 35.5 × W 13.5 cm  
Weight: 1.2 kg  
Material: bronze  
Origin: China  
Period: Late Qing period (18th–early 19th century)

Each object is examined before it is offered: material, casting or carving technique, surface, and signs of age are compared with documented references. You will receive a certificate of authenticity and an official invoice detailing the period, material, and available provenance.

How we verify authenticity

Fully insured worldwide shipping in museum-quality packaging. Returns are sent to our Dutch address and you have a 14-day cooling-off period.

Read the shipping policy and the refund policy.

Pay securely at checkout with credit card, Klarna, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. The certificate of authenticity and the invoice are included in the price.