Unknown
Eleven-Headed Avalokiteshvaraearly 11th century

On view:

Resnick Pavilion, floor 1

Bronze sculpture of a multi-headed, multi-armed seated deity on a lotus throne, with a flame-shaped mandorla and tiered relief pedestal, warm golden-brown patina

Gilt bronze sculpture of a multi-headed deity, with stacked tiers of faces ranging from serene to wrathful, set against an oval aureole with flame details; finely cast jewelry and ritual implements visible.

Cast bronze devotional figure with mandorla, seated deity with multiple arms on a tiered pedestal, framed by an arched prabhavali with openwork floral and flame motifs, topped by a finial; gilded and green-patinated surface with worn finish

Close-up of a gilt bronze base with incised Tibetan script inscription along a horizontal register, showing worn gilding and traces of green patina.

Close-up of a gilt bronze ritual object, showing a raised relief panel with small figures and guardian faces flanking a central standing figure; a horizontal inscription in Tibetan script runs along the upper register above the relief.

Close-up of a gilt metal sculpture base with incised Tibetan script inscription along the front edge, showing worn gold and silver surfaces.

Artist or Maker: Unknown
Title: Eleven-Headed Avalokiteshvara
Place Made: Western Tibet, Tholing region
Date Made: early 11th century
Medium: Leaded brass inlaid with silver
Dimensions: 15 1/2 x 6 1/2 x 3 1/4 in. (39.37 x 16.51 x 8.26 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Harry Kahn
Accession Number: M.78.40
Classification: Sculpture
Collecting Area: South and Southeast Asian Art
Curatorial Notes: Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is represented here in his cosmic form with eleven heads emphasizing his watchful nature and six arms. Eight of the eleven heads represent the cardinal directions and their intermediate points, while the remaining three symbolize the zenith, nadir, and center. The eleventh head at the top represents the Buddha Amitabha, of whom Avalokiteshvara is considered to be an emanation. He symbolizes the universal compassion of all Buddhas. Apart from Amitabha, the ten heads represent Avalokiteshvara’s attainment of each of the ten Bodhisattva stages and also symbolize his watching over beings throughout the ten directions of space. The three heads on the lower tier have benign faces, while the remaining seven heads are wrathful. The three left hands hold the stem of a lotus, water pot, and staff. The upper right hand holds an honorific fly whisk. The middle right hand is held in the gesture of exposition (vitarka mudra) and the lower right hand is held in the gesture of charity (varada mudra). He sits cross-legged in the meditation posture (padma asana) on a lotus base. He wears antelope skin draped around his shoulders, patterned dhoti, necklace, and bracelets. He has a separate nimbus surmounted by a stupa (funerary mound), festoons, and the sun and moon; and an aureole (prabhavali). Both coronas are executed with a flaming border. The pierced front of the pedestal has a demigod (yaksha) in the center with his right hand raised in a supporting gesture. He is flanked by two rearing lions.

An obscure Tibetan inscription along the front and sides of the pedestal base has been provisionally translated as, Pleased to set this up at Hrogs tri as a vow (in return for) help from Nya’a (Nyag) Chang Lha. (Translation by H. E. Richardson.)
Selected Bibliography: Little, Stephen, and Tushara Bindu Gude. Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art across Asia. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2025.

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