Hmawza: Four-Armed Avalokitesvara

MYANMAR, Bago, Hmawza

The statue was discovered near the Bawbawgyi Pagoda in Hmawza and can be identified as a Four-Armed Avalokitesvara despite its damaged state. It provides evidence that Mahayana Buddhism was once widespread in the area. Statues of Maitreya Bodhisattva were also unearthed near this Avalokitesvara statue at the same time.
The figure stands in an exaggeratedly sinuous posture. A Buddha is located in front of the cone-shaped topknot. Ringlets of hair spills down the sides of the topknot and onto the shoulders. The slender upper body is adorned with thick jewelry while a thick sacred thread crosses the chest and falls past the hips. The thin skirt is secured by a large buckled belt, while an ornate sash is tied to one side with a large flower ornament. The left arms are broken and the remaining right arms might have once held objects.