A Gilt Bronze Figure of Sadakshari Avalokiteshvara

Nepal, 16th/17th century

Details

A Gilt Bronze Figure of Sadakshari Avalokiteshvara
Nepal, 16th/17th century
Seated in dhyanasana on a double-lotus base, the primary hands folded in anjalimudra in front of the chest, the secondary arms raised, the right one holding a beaded mala, clad in a patterned dhoti and an animal skin draped over the shoulders, adorned with multiple necklaces, the face with elongated eyes, bow-shaped mouth and forehead centered with a rectangular urna, the hair piled into a high chignon fastened by a crown and surmounted by a small seated Amitabha
12 ½ in. (31.75 cm.) high

Provenance

The Bass Museum of Art, Florida, acquired in New York, 22 June 1971. Sold to benefit the Acquisitions Fund

Exhibited

Traditional Art of India and Nepal, Kennesaw State College, Georgia, 5 April - 18 May 1990

Brought to you by

Anita Mehta

amehta@christies.com +1 212 636 2190

Lot Essay

Shadakshari Avalokiteshvara, the four-armed form of the bodhisattva of supreme compassion, is believed to be the embodiment of the Buddhist mantra om mani padme hum, (“hail to the jewel in the lotus”). These six syllables represent the six realms of existence: Om is white and stands for the god realm; ma is green and stands for the demigod or Asura realm; ni is yellow and stands for the human realm; pad is blue and stands for the animal realms; me is red and stands for hungry ghost realm; hum is black and stands for the hell realm. Shadakshari ushers all beings from the six realms into enlightenment.

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