Smith & Singer
50

A gilt bronze figure of eleven-headed avalokiteshvara, 18th century or later

Estimate $30,000 – $50,000

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Alternate Views

cast standing on a double lotus base with eight arms and eleven heads arranged in four tiers, the principle hands in anjalimudra, the others fanned out, one holding a lotus flower, another a rosary, dressed in a long dhoti with fluttering scarves and beaded jewellery
53.5 cm high

  • Lot Sold $120,000 (Hammer Price)
  • $146,400 (Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

Show Catalogue Notes

Catalogue Notes

The eleven headed Avalokiteshvara is an esoteric form of the bodhisattva, believed to have overcome eleven hardships in order to attain Buddhahood. Another explanation is that Avalokiteshvara fails to fulfill his vow of saving all sentient souls from hell and his head splits into one hundred pieces, Amitabha Buddha gathered up the pieces and consolidated them into ten heads, crowning them with one of his own to show that Amitabha is always there to aid him in his goal of universal salvation.

Condition Report

The reverse with two apertures on either side of the shoulders where further arms are now missing. The lower head on the right side now missing an earring. Some hands now missing attributes. The reverse with a recessed rectangle above the waist. Two shallow sections cut from the base on the reverse approx 1.5cm x 0.5 cm and 2.0 cm x 0.5 cm. Some slight greenish oxidation around the base.

CONTACT INFORMATION +

Specialists

Guy Cairnduff

Head

Arts & Design
Melbourne
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
E: Guy Cairnduff


Geoffrey Smith

Chairman

Australian & International Art
Melbourne  |  Sydney
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
T: +61 (0)2 9302 2402
E: Geoffrey Smith
  

Ann Roberts

Ann Roberts

Specialist Consultant, Asian Art

Arts & Design
Melbourne
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
E: Ann Roberts

Anthony Hurl

Specialist Consultant

Arts & Design
Adelaide
T: +61 (0)8 7225 7836
E: Anthony Hur
       

Brett Ballard

Brett Ballard

Senior Specialist

Australian & International Art
Sydney
T: +61 (0)2 9302 2402
E: Brett Ballard

Fiona Hayward

Fiona Hayward

Senior Specialist

Australian & International Art
Melbourne
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
E: Fiona Hayward

     


Fine Asian, Australian & European Arts & Design

AU0818  |  24 Oct 2017  |  Sydney
6 pm


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