Tibet, 11-head Avalokiteshvara – seated

12th-13th century, Tibet, Ekadashamukha Avalokiteshvara, brass, 21,5 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 1097 pl. 293E, Potala Collection, Lima Lhakhang, inventory nº 1145, Lhasa (Tibet).

12th-13th century, Tibet, Ekadashamukha Avalokiteshvara, brass, 35,6 cm, photo as before, p. 1147 pl. 300C, at the Khra Brug (Tradruk) monastery, Yarlung Valley (Tibet).

13th century, Tibet, Ekadashamukha Avalokiteshvara, brass, 20,5 cm, photo as before, p. 1097 pl. 283D, at the Rwa sgreng or Ra sgreng monastery (Tibet).

Tibet, various bodhisattvas (9)

12th-13th century, Tibet, Vajrasattva, bronze, 23,5 cm, private collection, The Graceful Path to Awakening lot 12, Hollywood Galleries

Out of context a standing male figure with a bodhisattva appearance who holds a vajra sceptre in his right hand and a bell in the other is Vajrapani. Early Tibetan works sometimes depict him holding the stem of a blue lily in his left hand, without a bell on it. We saw one on HAR holding a lily topped with the bell, with a vajra sceptre held horizontally in the palm of his right hand. The above holds it upright like Vajrasattva, who is a buddha when seated but a bodhisattva when standing.

13th-14th century, Tibet, Vajrapani or an emanation of Akshobhya, brass, 44,8 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 1105 pl. 2987D, Potala Collection, inventory nº 228 at the Kun bzang rjes ‘gro lha khang, Lhasa (Tibet).

This figure stands on a lotus base atop a pedestal supported by lions and covered with a cloth decorated with an upright vajra sceptre at the front.

14th century, Tibet, Maitreya or Manjushri, gilt copper, 42,5 cm, photo as before, p. 1033 pl. 256D, at the Bri gung mthil (Drigung Thil) monastery (Tibet).

Tibet, Manjushri – standing (10)

Circa 11th century, Tibet, Siddhaikavira Form of Manjushri (?), copper alloy with traces of gilding, 37,8 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 1017 pl. 248D, Potala Collection, Lima Lhakhang inventory nº 97, Lhasa (Tibet).

11th-12th century, Tibet, Siddhaikavira Form of Manjushri (?), gilt copper, 35,4 cm, photo as before, p. 1013 pl. 246E, Potala Collection, Lima Lhakhang inventory nº 1295, Lhasa (Tibet).

Siddhaikavira is an ascetic form of Manjushri with a white body on paintings. Seated in the royal ease position or standing, he rarely wears a crown and doesn’t hold a book but a blue water lily in his left hand, and often has a bud in his right hand (as above) which is extended in the gesture of generosity.

11th-12th century, Tibet, Siddhaikavira Form of Manjushri (?), copper with traces of gilding, 34,5 cm, photo as before, p. 1019 pl. 249D, Potala Collection, Lima Lhakhang inventory nº 1078, Lhasa (Tibet).

When he wears a crown it normally includes an effigy of Akshobhya at the front or features the five tathagatas. In this case, the bodhisattva of wisdom wears a small three-leaf tiara and a matching hair ornament on his chignon. He has the stalk of a broken flower in his left hand and a small object in the other, shaped like a jewel.

11th-12th century, Tibet, Manjushri, copper alloy with gilding at the front, 59,5 cm, photo as before, p. 1025 pl. 252D, at the Shalu monastery (Tibet).

This work was originally posted as Maitreya, and indeed, according to Mr Von Schroeder, ‘because of a recently added attribute of a lotus with a water jar (kundika) above the left shoulder (removed for photography), this image is identified by the monks as bodhisattva Maitreya.’ However, in the absence of a stupa in his headdress or against his chignon, the author rules Maitreya out. If we compare with the Siddhaikavira images above, the right hand makes the same gesture and holds a small object, perhaps a seed, and the left hand once held the stem of a flower. Two singular features are the festooned belt with Kirtimukha at the front and a piece of fabric tied around the waist.

12th century, Tibet, Manjushri, gilt bronze, 37 cm, private collection, Indian and Himalayan Art lot 806, 21st March 2024, Sotheby’s

This statue must have come from the same workshop as a circa 12th century Manjushri from the gTsug Lhakhang collection in Lhasa seen in a previous post and reproduced below for comparison. Manjushri wears a tall three-leaf crown with prominent bows, rosette and ribbons, and the effigy of a buddha at the front – described as the historical buddha by Sotheby’s and as Vairocana by Mr von Schroeder. His left hand holds the stem of an open flower that supports the Prajnaparamita sutra.

Circa 12th century, Tibet, Manjushri, gilt copper, 46,4 cm, photo by Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 1024 pl. 252C, inventory nº 546 at the gTsug Lakhang in Lhasa (Tibet).

Tibet, 11-head Avalokiteshvara (17)

Early 15th century, Tibet, eleven-headed Avalokiteshvara, gilt copper alloy, 19,7 cm, private collection, Dharma and Tantra lot 101, 18th September 2023, Sotheby’s

Avalokiteshvara with eleven heads (three peaceful, three semi-wrathful, three wrathful, plus Mahakala’s and Amitabha’s) and eight arms, which represent the eight great fears (see on rigpawiki). His main hands are joined before his heart, the lower right hand is extended in the gesture of generosity, the other two hold a wheel and a rosary; his remaining left hands holds a water pot, a (missing) bow, and a lotus.

16th century (or later?), Tibet, Avalokiteshvara, Ekadasamukha form, gilt bronze, 19 cm, private collection, Arts d’Asie lot 338, 11th March 2011, Tajan

17th century, Tibet, Avalokiteshvara, bronze, size not given, photo on wisdomlib, at the Patan Museum

17th century, (Tibet?), Sahasrabuja Lokeshvara, bronze, 27,5 cm, Northern Himalayan Section on wisdomlib, at the National Museum of Nepal.

Avalokiteshvara with eleven heads and a thousand arms, the eight main ones arranged as before, the other radiating around him like a halo.

Tibet, Avalokiteshvara – standing (27)

11th-12th century, Western Tibet, Padmapani (Avalokiteshvara), bronze, 12 cm, private collection, 8th November 2023, lot 534, Olympia Auctions

1200-1299, Tibet, unidentified bodhisattva, metal (brass), photo on HAR, accession nº not quoted, at the Museum der Kulturen in Basel (Switzerland).

Both Maitreya and Avalokiteshvara may have the skin of an antelope over the left shoulder, but a lotus in the left hand and a water pot in the right hand usually correspond to Avalokiteshvara (Maitreya holds his ritual water pot in the left hand, and his flower may be a blue lily, a nagakesara, or a nagchampa blossom). Also, he doesn’t seem to have a stupa between his low tiara and his chignon. The backplate features elephants, peacocks, viyalas, makaras, and a garuda holding nagas in its claws and beak.

1650-1680, Tibet, Nepalese schools, Lokeshvara, white sandalwood with cold gold and pigments, 99 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 991 pl. 244B Potala Collection, Phags pa lha khang inventory nº 35, Lhasa (Tibet).

We have seen other bodhisattvas from this series. Avalokiteshvara holds an open lotus in his left hand.

Tibet, peaceful Manjushri (4)

17th century, Tibet, Manjughosa, white sandalwood with cold gold and pigments, 101 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 990 pl. 244A Potala Collection, Phags pa lha khang inventory nº 148, Lhasa (Tibet).

Manjushri is identified by the manuscript and the blue water lily that supports it, normally placed to his left.

Circa 14th century, Tibet, Nepalese Schools, Manjughosa probably, gilt copper, 97 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 959 pl. 229C, at the Shalu monastery (Tibet).

The hand gesture of this seated figure corresponds to Maitreya, and the flowers by his sides that would have supported his attributes are now lost, but the author suggests that this is probably Manjushri because there is a garuda head just below the central piece of his crown (Maitreya would have a stupa or a wheel).

Circa 15th century, Tibet, Manjushri, bronze, 12,7 cm, The Art of the Himalayas lot 77, auction M0009, 16th December 2014, Pundole’s.

A similar depiction, with flowers supporting the hilt of a sword to his right and a manuscript to his left, identifying him as Manjushri.

Tibet, Maitreya – various postures (11)

17th century, Tibet, Maitreya, white sandalwood with cold gold and pigments, 101 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 986 pl. 242A Potala Collection, Phags pa lha khang inventory nº 36, Lhasa (Tibet).

We have seen various standing bodhisattvas from this set. Maitreya is easily identified by the ritual water pot (kundika) placed on the flower attached to his left arm.

17th century, (Tibet?), Maitreya (labelled ‘Lokeshvara’), bronze, 68 cm, Northern Himalayan Section on wisdomlib, at the National Museum of Nepal.

The kundika to his left and the branch of ashoka tree on the other side, along with his hands making the preaching gesture, also identify this princely figure as Maitreya in his bodhisattva appearance.

17th-18th century, Tibet, Maitreya, gilt copper alloy with pigment, size not given, photo on wisdomlib, at the Patan Museum (Nepal).

The future buddha seated on a throne with both legs pendent, his hair topped with a miniature stupa.

16th century, Tibet, Maitreya, copper (copper alloy with silver inlaid-eyes), size not given, photo on wisdomlib, at the Patan Museum (Nepal).

From a group of brass works made in the Tsang province, this work depicts him seated with his legs locked in the vajra position and his hands making the ‘turning the wheel of dharma‘ gesture, flanked by flowers that support a branch of ashoka (next to his right shoulder) and a kundika (on the other side).

17th century, Tibet, Maitreya, bronze with silver-inlaid eyes, size not given, photo on wisdomlib, at the Patan Museum (Nepal).

A similar depiction, probably made in the same area, with a stupa on the bodhisattva‘s chignon.

17th century, (Tibet?), Maitreya, bronze, 23 cm, Northern Himalayan Section on wisdomlib, at the National Museum of Nepal.

This one holds the stem of a flower topped with a stupa in his right hand.

18th century, (Tibet?), Maitreya (labelled ‘Lokeshvara’), bronze, 27 cm, Northern Himalayan Section on wisdomlib, at the National Museum of Nepal.

A rare example with an antelope skin over his left shoulder – an attribute he shares with Avalokiteshvara. There is a kundika on the nagakesara flower to his left. He is adorned with a crown with a dharma wheel at the centre and matching earrings.

Tibet, Shadakshari Lokeshvara (6)

Circa 14th century, Tibet, Nepalese Schools, Shadakshari Lokeshvara, gilt copper, 91 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 960 pl. 230A, at the Shalu monastery (Tibet).

This image of Avalokiteshvara in his common four-arm form includes the head of Amitabha on top of his chignon.

18th century (or much earlier?), Tibet, Shadakshari Lokeshvara, bronze, 35,5 cm, Northern Himalayan Section on wisdomlib, at the National Museum of Nepal.

14th century, Tibet, Shadakshari Avalokiteshvara, gilt bronze with silver and turquoise inlay, 41 cm, Zhantan Lin, The Highlights of Buddhist Art lot 566, 7th October 2023, China Guardian (Hong Kong)

17th century, Tibet, Shadakshari Lokeshvara, bronze, size not given, photo on wisdomlib, at the Patan Museum (Nepal).

18th century, (Tibet?), Shadakshari Lokeshvara (labelled ‘Saptalocani Tara’), Northern Himalayan Section on wisdomlib, at the National Museum of Nepal.

18th-19th century, Tibet or Nepal, Shadakshari Lokeshvara, bronze, 20 cm, photo on wisdomlib, at the National Museum of Nepal

Tibet, Peaceful Vajrapani – standing (10)

14th century, Tibet, Nepalese schools, Vajrapani (?), gilt copper, 24 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder (Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 970 pl. 235A), Potala Collection, Sa gsum lha khang, inventory nº 953, Lhasa (Tibet).

There appears to be no textual sources describing a standing Vajrapani holding his vajra sceptre in both hands, but a rare seated form is mentioned in Eugen Pander’s Pantheon.

14th century, Tibet, Nepalese schools, Vajrapani, gilt copper, 32,1 cm, photo as before (p. 971 pl. 235E), Potala Collection, Bla ma lha khang, inventory nº 961, Lhasa (Tibet).

When part of a set of eight bodhisattvas, his attribute is placed on the lotus that raises to his right and the lotus on the other side usually supports a bell, his right hand makes the gesture of generosity (but in this case it holds the stem of the lotus) and the left hand makes the gesture of debate.

1650-1680, Tibet, Nepalese schools, Vajrapani, white sandalwood with cold gold and pigments, 99 cm, photo as before (p. 989 pl. 243B), Potala Collection, Phags pa lha khang inventory nº 147, Lhasa (Tibet).

Another unusual image, with the vajra sceptre on a lotus he holds in his right hand and the bell in his left hand.

Tibet, various bodhisattvas (8)

The following are from a set of eight bodhisattvas in the Potala Collection. Commissioned by the fifth dalai lama, Lobsang Gyatso (1617-1682), they are made of white sandalwood covered with cold gold (the face has been recently repainted with cold gold and pigments). The lotus pedestal, made in the style of the much earlier Nepalese Transitional Period, is covered with gilt copper repoussé.

1650-1680, Tibet, Nepalese schools, Aksashagarbha, wood, 100,5 cm, photo: courtesy of Ulrich von Schroeder, Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet Volume Two, Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, p. 988 pl. 243A Potala Collection, Phags pa lha khang inventory nº 149, Lhasa (Tibet).

When standing, Akashagarbha may hold a jewel and a flower or raining jewels and a triple gem, or have a staff in both hands, or both hands in the gesture of debate. The above makes the fear-allaying gesture with his right hand and once held a flower, just like an Akashagarbha seen in the previous post (whose lotus is topped with a sun disc).

Kshitigarbha, wood, 100 cm, photo as before, p. 987 pl. 242B, Potala Collection, Phags pa lha khang inventory nº 34, Lhasa (Tibet).

His twin brother, Kshitigarbha, is depicted here with a jewel in his right hand while the left one makes the gesture of supreme generosity.

Samantabhadra, wood, 100 cm, as before, p. 993 pl. 245B, Potala Collection, Phags pa lha khang inventory nº 146, Lhasa (Tibet).

Samantabhadra makes the ‘turning the wheel of dharma‘ gesture.

Sarvanivarana-Vishkambhin, wood, 101 cm, as before, p. 992 pl. 245A, Potala Collection, Phags pa lha khang inventory nº 33, Lhasa (Tibet).

Sarvanivarana Vishkambhin holds a visvajra in his right hand.

The other four bodhisattvas will be published in separate posts soon.