Tibet, 11-head Avalokiteshvara (7)

13th century, Tibet, Avalokiteshvara, bronze (brass) with cold gold and pigments, private collection, photo by Sotheby’s.

Avalokiteshvara with eleven heads (3 peaceful, 3 semi-wrathful, 3 wrathful plus Mahakala’s and Manjushri’s) and eight arms, some secured by rods; the main hands are before his heart and  with the palms slightly apart, in the gesture made to hold a jewel, the lower right hand does the gesture of supreme generosity, the other would have held a water pot, the remaining hands once held a rosary, a wheel, a lotus, a bow.

The main face displays Central Asian features and a diamond-shaped urna. There is an effigy of the historical buddha and two adepts on his crown.

16th-17th century, Tibet, Avalokiteshvara, copper alloy, private collection, photo by Koller, sale A171AS lot 112.

In many cases the main hands are pressed tightly together, in a salutation gesture commonly used on the Asian continent.

18th century, Tibet, Avalokiteshvara, gilt bronze (copper alloy) and stone inlay, private collection, photo by Christie’s.

On this more recent item Avalokiteshvara holds the effigy of Amitabha in his upper right hand and he has a third eye instead of an urna on his forehead.

Undated (circa 15th century, Tibet) Avalokiteshvara, gilt metal with cold gold, pigments and gems, private collection, photo on HAR

Update 07/04/24: circa 1400, gilt copper, Potala Collection, Bla ma lha khang inventory nº2100, as per Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two by Ulrich von Schroeder, Visual Dharma Publications (Hong Kong), p. 1063 pl. 271B.

The eight-hand form may be seated, this is a rare example.

15th century, Central Tibet, Avalokiteshvara, gilt copper alloy with stone inlay, made by Sonam Gyaltsen circa 1430, photo on HAR.

Even rare is this sculpture depicting him with eleven heads and forty-two arms.

It stands on a lotus base with two rows of petals facing each other and the lower rim decorated with a chased floral and rice-grain pattern.