Antique Tibetan gilt bronze figure of the Bodhisattava, Avalokiteshvara. The Luminous Lord of Infinite Compassion sits in padmasana position with his hands held in front of his chest in the complex dharmachakra mudra. Also called the teaching mudra and "spinning the wheel of the Law", dharmachakra relates the Buddha's teaching in the forest of Sarnath. Avalokiteshvara wears a 5 pointed crown and other princely jewels but also has the long locks of an ascetic. The compassion in his expression reminds us that, as a Bodhisattva, he has forgone his own nirvana in order to help others on their path to enlightenment.

Provenance: Ed Hardy Estate

Age: 17th/18th century

Dimensions: 9 1/8" high x 5 5/8" wide x 3 3/4" deep