Lot Essay
Hardly any six-armed forms of Avalokitesvara in Indonesian art are known. One, but a seated example, is in Musee Guimet, Paris.
Although the finding-place is unknown, the bronze under review is more then probably casted during the so-called Srivijaya period. This empire had its mainhold on Sumatra, but extended its influence throughout the peninsula of present Thailand and Malaysia. At its height of power it included as well the island of Java and possibly many other parts of Indonesia.
All bronzes attributed to this period display a certain elongated, slender body. Other characteristics are the loincloth held by a single belt and a high piled-up hairdress. These stylistic elements are derived from the art of South India (fourth to seventh centuries).
From the eighth to the tenth centuries Indonesian art was influenced by the Pala art from North India and well known from the bronzes from the Central Javanese period.
Taking the above into consideration one can date this bronze from the late seventh to early nineth centuries.
See colour illustration
Although the finding-place is unknown, the bronze under review is more then probably casted during the so-called Srivijaya period. This empire had its mainhold on Sumatra, but extended its influence throughout the peninsula of present Thailand and Malaysia. At its height of power it included as well the island of Java and possibly many other parts of Indonesia.
All bronzes attributed to this period display a certain elongated, slender body. Other characteristics are the loincloth held by a single belt and a high piled-up hairdress. These stylistic elements are derived from the art of South India (fourth to seventh centuries).
From the eighth to the tenth centuries Indonesian art was influenced by the Pala art from North India and well known from the bronzes from the Central Javanese period.
Taking the above into consideration one can date this bronze from the late seventh to early nineth centuries.
See colour illustration