Tapestry of Four-Armed Avalokitesvara

CHINA; Qing dynasty

This 18th century silk tapestry features the Four-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, who was popular in Tibetan Buddhism during the Qing dynasty.
Seated in full lotus position, the Bodhisattva wears a three-leaf crown with a Buddha image on top. There is a multi-layered nimbus and a multi-colored light-radiating mandorla behind. The figure is surrounded by rosettes and foliate motifs outlined with gold thread. The Bodhisattva is adorned with necklaces and a silk stole, and wears a soft lower garment with overlapping folds. The two main hands have joined palms, while the other two hands hold chanting beads and a lotus. The frame is decorated with peony motifs, and there are three lotuses below.
The artwork has been woven using seven colors, wound in gold thread, and laid with flat gold strips. Its subdued colors lend a quiet dignity to the central Avalokitesvara image.