The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara

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The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara

India, Bihar, Kurkihar, circa 900
Sculpture
Patinated copper alloy
6 3/4 x 4 7/8 x 3 1/2 in. (17.15 x 12.38 x 8.89 cm)
From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Museum Associates Purchase (M.81.8.3)
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is enthroned on a lotus base on a pedestal....
Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is enthroned on a lotus base on a pedestal. He sits in the relaxed posture (lalita asana) with his right leg pendant and supported by the pericarp of a lotus flower (karnika). He is crowned with a tiara and has the piled hair of an ascetic. His separately cast throneback is now missing. He wears a patterned dhoti and the standard jewelry. His right hand is extended in the gesture of charity (varada mudra). He holds a lotus in his left hand. The sculpture was likely donated to the Apanaka Monastery in pilgrimage center of Kurkihar, Bihar. An inscription on the rear of the base reads, This is the pious gift of the monk Viryavarman, who is from Kanchi [Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu]. (Translation by Pratapaditya Pal.)
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Bibliography

  • Little, Stephen, Tushara Bindu Gude, Karina Romero Blanco, Silvia Seligson, Marco Antonio Karam. Las Huellas de Buda. Ciudad de México : Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, 2018.
  • Rosenfield, John.  The Arts of India and Nepal: The Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection.  Boston:  Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1966.
  • Little, Stephen, Tushara Bindu Gude, Karina Romero Blanco, Silvia Seligson, Marco Antonio Karam. Las Huellas de Buda. Ciudad de México : Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, 2018.
  • Rosenfield, John.  The Arts of India and Nepal: The Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection.  Boston:  Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1966.
  • Glynn, Catherine. Aspects of Asian Art from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. University of Redlands, 1972.
  • Trabold, J. The Art of India, An Historical Profile.  Northridge, CA:  California State University Press, 1975.
  • Pal, Pratapaditya. Indian Sculpture, vol.2. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art; University of California Press, 1988.
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