Indonesian Fire-Gilt Bronze Avalokiteshvara – 19th Century

A four-armed Avalokiteshvara from Indonesia

A standing four-armed Avalokiteshvara from Java or Sumatra, made in the 19th century in fire-gilt bronze. He holds a kundika; the lotus he once carried is gone.

Description

Avalokiteshvara is the bodhisattva of compassion. This figure stands with four arms and was cast in Indonesia, most likely on Java or Sumatra, in the 19th century. The lower hands hold a kundika, the ritual water vessel with which he quenches thirst and purifies. One raised palm has a hole for a lotus stem that was cast separately; stem and flower are now missing. The lotus stands for purity. The other raised hand is empty and damaged, and no rosary can be seen any longer. The crown holds a skull whose face has been lost. Behind the figure rises an openwork aureole of leaves. He wears a long sampot and stands barefoot on a lotus above a square base.

Casting and condition

The figure is hollow-cast. The underside is open, with remains of the casting core, and has no cover plate. The fire gilding was rubbed back at a later date on the face, chest and skirt, while the aureole and crown have largely been left untouched. There is damage to the aureole, the fingers and the mouth of the vessel. The piece is neither from Bangkok nor from Nepal.

Specifications

• Origin: Indonesia, Java or Sumatra
• Date: 19th century
• Material: fire-gilt bronze, hollow-cast
• Subject: standing four-armed Avalokiteshvara
• Dimensions: H 61.5 × W 19 cm
• Weight: 2.5 kg
• SKU: 848

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