Eleven-Headed, Six-Armed Avalokitesvara

INDIA

The statue is believed to be from the region of Kashmir. Avalokitesvara’s eleven heads, with their varying expressions, are stacked in a five tier structure that almost equals the height of the Bodhisattva’s body. The Vajrayana Buddhist representation shares features in common with the Hindu art of the time. A lotus and a whisk are among the attributes held in the hands, while the lower two of the six are spread out in varada (wish-granting) mudra. One additional attribute, an antelope skin, is knotted over the torso. The Bodhisattva sits in full lotus position on a double lotus throne which rests on a square pedestal decorated with lions and bearing several Tibetan inscriptions. The edges of the nimbus and aureole are flame patterned and there are meditating Buddhas set at an angle where the two intersect. The nimbus frames mainly the upper heads and rises to a point, where it is overlaid with a stepped stupa crowned with stacked rings, above which two ribbons extend from either side. The finial consists of a sun and moon. Flames and ribbons were rarely seen in previous sculptures of this kind and appear to be a recent innovation.