A rare gilt-copper alloy figure of Shadakshari Avalokiteshvara

Tibet, circa 16th century

Tibet, circa 16th century
The four-armed deity seated in dhyanasana on a beaded double-lotus base, the main hands in anjalimudra, the others holding a lotus flower and prayer beads, wearing an elegant dhoti incised with scrolling borders and beaded jewellery, the face with a serene expression and head crowned with an elaborate foliate tiara surrounding the hair swept in a topknot surmounted by the head of Amitabha, the base sealed and incised with a double vajra. 21.4cm (8 3/8in) high.

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Provenance: the Jeannette Claude Jongen Collection of Buddhist Art
Bonhams London, 12 November 2015, lot 86

Published and Illustrated: A.Neven, Etudes D'Art Lamaique et de L'Himalaya, Brussels, 1978, p.109, pl.5 (the catalogue is offered as part of the lot).

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In the present four-armed form, the Bodhisattva of Supreme Compassion appears as embodiment of the Buddhist mantra om mani padme hum, (Trans. 'Hail to the jewel in the lotus'). These six syllables represent the six realms of existence, with Om standing as the white god realm, ma standing as the green demigod or Asura realm, ni as the yellow human realm, pad as the blue animal realms, me as the red realm of the hungry ghosts, and finally humis as the black realm of hell. Within this context, Shadakshari was thought to be ushering all beings from the Six Realms, aiding their attainment of enlightenment.

A related but smaller gilt-bronze figure of Shadakshari Avalokiteshvara, Tibet, 15th century, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 1-2 June 2015, lot 661.